Deep-water rhodolith distribution, productivity, and growth history at sites of formation and subsequent degradation

Littler, Mark M.; Littler, Diane S.; Hanisak, M. Dennis

doi:10.1016/0022-0981(91)90066-6

Cited by 160 publications

(113 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Two previous studies using AMS 14 C dating of rhodoliths determined growth rates in the range 0.01-0.09 mm yr Ϫ1 with the majority around 0.03 mm yr Ϫ1 (Reid and MacIntyre 1988;Littler et al 1991). Reid and MacIntyre (1988) and Littler et al (1991) measured 14 C ages from discrete interior sections of several rhodoliths and calculated growth rates by dividing the distance between the sampled area and the rhodolith surface by the measured 14 C age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth rate and potential climate record from a rhodolith using 14C accelerator mass spectrometry

Frantz

Kashgarian

Coale

et al. 2000

Limnology & Oceanography

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Rhodoliths, free-living calcareous red algae, create large and diverse habitats worldwide. Although these plants are abundant and ecologically important, little is known about their growth rate. We determined the growth rate for an individual rhodolith, Lithothamnium crassiusculum, from the southern Gulf of California through 14 C analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to be 0.6 mm yr Ϫ1 . This growth rate suggests large L. crassiusculum, which have been found with radii in excess of 6 cm, may live over 100 yr. Declines in the ⌬ 14

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth rate and potential climate record from a rhodolith using 14C accelerator mass spectrometry

Frantz

Kashgarian

Coale

et al. 2000

Limnology & Oceanography

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“…This anti-estuarine system has an irregular form and is mainly composed of intertidal and shallow areas and relatively narrow mangrove channels with an average depth of 3.5 m (SCHWEERS et al, 2006). Within this system the sea surface temperatures range from 20.3 ± 0.5°C during January or February to 26.9 ± 1.0°C in September (LLUCH-BELDA et al, 2000). In the shallower zones, salinities reach high levels (39.2 %) in July and August and low ones (34.1 %) in March (ALVAREZ-BORREGO et al, 1975).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Rhodolith beds are composed of populations of non-geniculate coralline red macroalgae, which have been recorded forming large biogenic habitats from the low intertidal zone to depths down to 250 m (BOSENCE, 1983;LITTLER et al, 1991;FOSTER, 2001;KONAR et al, 2006). Currently, several studies have highlighted the importance of rhodolith beds in marine ecosystems because: 1) they provide microhabitats and shelter for a high biodiversity of plants and animals (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A preliminary evaluation of shallow-water rhodolith beds in Bahia Magdalena, Mexico

Ávila

Riosmena‐Rodríguez²

2011

Braz. j. oceanogr.

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The aim of the present study was to describe the structure of shallow-water rhodolith beds from Bahia Magdalena, one of the most productive estuarine systems of the Mexican Pacific coasts. From September 2008 to May 2009 four rhodolith beds were found (between 1 and 3 m depth) and population descriptors such as rhodolith density, size classes, branch density, volume and weight were determined. The dominant rhodolith forming species was Lithophyllum margaritae. The size of beds ranged from 7,600 to 17,800 m2 approximately with densities from 42.2 to 215.9 ind.m-2. In these beds, L. margaritae shows fruticose and foliose growth forms, from which spherical forms were predominant (81-99%). Branch density (from 3.0 to 13.3 branches.cm-2) varied significantly (p < 0.05) among beds. The average volume (from 2.0 to 400 mL) and wet weight (from 32.4 to 84.8 g) was not significantly different among sites, but a significant positive correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.05) was found between these parameters. The size of plants ranged from 2.0 to 11.5 cm with predominant size classes of 40.1-60 mm. Differences in rhodolith density, branch density and sphericity were attributed to possible differences in hydrodynamic conditions among sites. These beds were also a suitable habitat for high diversity of associated sponges. A non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis using sponge species data revealed variability in the distribution of sponge assemblages among sites, which is likely the result of differences in environmental conditions. Although these rhodolith beds are not as extensive as those of other regions, our preliminary surveys revealed that they are a common habitat in Bahía Magdalena and likely have an important role in the productivity of this estuarine system.

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“…Long-lived maerl thalli and their dead remains build up on underlying sediments to produce deposits with a three-dimensional structure that is intermediate in character between hard and soft grounds (Jacquotte, 1962;Cabioch, 1969;Keegan, 1974;Hall-Spencer, 1998). Maerl thalli grow very slowly (Littler et al, 1991;Birkett et al, 1998) such that maerl deposits may take hundreds of years to develop, especially in high latitudes (BIOMAERL, 1998). For this reason maerl beds are considered to be a non-renewable resource.…”

Section: The Importance Of Maerl Bedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation and management of northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean maerl beds

Barberá

Bordehore

Borg

et al. 2003

Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst.

174

139

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ABSTRACT1. Maerl beds occur worldwide and are formed by an accumulation of unattached calcareous red algae (Rhodophyta).2. Maerl-forming algae grow in a superficial living layer on sediments within the photic zone. 3. Maerl beds are spatially complex habitats with a high degree of species and trophic group diversity.4. The European Commission's 'Habitats Directive' mandates the conservation management of two of the main European maerl-forming species, Phymatolithon calcareum and Lithothamnion corallioides.5. Mediterranean maerl beds are to be considered for inclusion in national inventories of sites of conservation interest, as required by the SPABIM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention.6. In spite of their importance, and the requirement for their conservation management, European maerl grounds suffer a variety of anthropogenic perturbations including direct exploitation through extraction, fishing impacts and chemical pollution by organic matter and excess nutrients.7. The ecology of northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean maerl beds has received little attention, in contrast to other marine communities (e.g. kelp forests, sea-grass meadows). * Correspondence to: P.G. Moore, University Marine Biological Station Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, KA28 0EG, UK. E-mail: pmoore@udcf.gla.ac.uk y Authorship alphabetical: cite as BIOMAERL team z Coordinator 8. Key conservation and management measures proposed include: the recognition that maerl beds are non-renewable resources and cannot sustain direct exploitation; prohibitions on the use of towed gear on maerl grounds; moratoria on the issue of further permits for the siting of aquaculture units above maerl grounds; monitoring of existing exploited or impacted maerl beds; the designation of 'no-take' reserves; measures to limit the impacts that might affect water quality above maerl beds; a programme of monitoring of the 'health' of European maerl beds; an awareness campaign on the biological importance of maerl beds; a higher conservation status for maerl habitats and maerlforming species in European legislation; and further research on maerl ecosystems.

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Deep-water rhodolith distribution, productivity, and growth history at sites of formation and subsequent degradation

Cited by 160 publications

References 16 publications

Growth rate and potential climate record from a rhodolith using 14C accelerator mass spectrometry

Growth rate and potential climate record from a rhodolith using 14C accelerator mass spectrometry

A preliminary evaluation of shallow-water rhodolith beds in Bahia Magdalena, Mexico

Conservation and management of northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean maerl beds

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