The Ecology of Lough Ine: XX. The Laminaria Forest at Carrigathorna
1977; Wiley; Volume: 65; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/2259386
ISSN1365-2745
AutoresTrevor A. Norton, Keith Hiscock, J. A. Kitching,
Tópico(s)Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
Resumo(1) A sublittoral survey of the wave-exposed promontory of Carrigathorna, at the entrance to Barloge Creek and Lough Ine, Co. Cork, Ireland, was carried out between 1968 and 1972, using underwater reconnaissance, quadrat-sampling and scrapesampling of rock surfaces. (2) A forest of Laminaria hyperborea extends from 1 to 17-5 m depth below chart datum. Laminaria hyperborea reaches its greatest density and standing crop at depths of 3-6 m, and the plants become smaller and sparser towards their lower limit. Below 17-5 m the forest is replaced by low-growing algae, which extend down to 21-23 m, where the rock slope gives way to sand. (3) The canopy of Laminaria fronds was found to cut off 89-97% of the available light. (4) First-year Laminaria plants were almost clean of epibiota, but older plants carried a characteristic flora and fauna on their laminae and stipes. (5) Characteristic undergrowth algae, and animals both attached and mobile, occupy the rock surface between theLaminaria plants, and extend downwards below the forest. Undergrowth algae are most abundant in shallow water and again immediately below the forest but they become very sparse by 21 m depth. On a vertical cliff animals predominate, and there are few algae. (5) Submarine zonation of plants and animals is described, and that of animals is recorded in a transect diagram. Many additional records are given in an Appendix. The roles of light, turbulence, siltation and grazing are discussed in relation to the vertical distributions shown.
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