Effects of current on photosynthesis and distribution of seagrasses

Fonseca, Mark S.; Kenworthy, W. J.

doi:10.1016/0304-3770(87)90086-6

Cited by 183 publications

(107 citation statements)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

105

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…There was no difference between recovery growth rates of patches disturbed on their landward and seaward edges, an unexpected result given that patches usually appear healthier on the landward side and might have been expected to recover better from physical disturbance. The scouring action of waves usually erodes the seaward side of seagrass meadows while sediment accretion occurs on the landward side (Fonseca & Kenworthy 1987). It seems likely that the severity of the experimental disturbance impaired the recovery of the dense healthy plants on the landward edges and the disturbance to the rhizome mat increased the likelihood of patches being removed from the reef through general deterioration and wave action.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tidal and current flow, and wind-generated waves contribute to high variability in the shape and structure of seagrass beds (Robbins & Bell 1994). The integration of information relating to the fluid motion effects on seagrass beds would no doubt aid in our understanding of seagrass ecology (Fonseca & Kenworthy 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individual seagrass plants seem able to withstand considerable stress, but the stability of meadows can still be greatly affected by environmental changes (McComb et al 1981). In temperate ecosystems, erosional cycles determined by wind direction, wave and tidal height lead to spatial and temporal changes in seagrass distribution (Fonseca et al 1983, Fonseca & Kenworthy 1987.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Patch dynamics and response to disturbance of the seagrass Zostera novazelandica on intertidal platforms in southern New Zealand

Ramage¹,

Schiel²

1999

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We examined the patch dynamics of the intertidal seagrass Zostera novazelandica on 2 reef platforms in order to understand the processes governing the establishment, maintenance and mortality of patches. The size distribution of patches at 3 tidal heights (low, mid and high shore) was assessed. Eighty patches, ranglng in initial size from 0.1 to 2.4 m2 surface area, were tagged and video image analysis was used bi-monthly for 14 mo to calculate rates of expansion and contraction of these patches. Permanently marked 150 m2 areas of reef were monitored monthly to record patch recruitment and mortality. Initially, 75% of patches were <0.5 m2 All patches decreased in size during winter, probably due to increased wave action, and expanded during spring and summer. The proportional expansion and contraction of patches was independent of initial patch size. At the end of the study the size distribution of patches was similar to the initial distribution. Patch mortality was restricted to those <0.4 m2, of which 60% disappeared during the study. Larger patches suffered partial mortality through fragmentation. No large patches were formed through the amalgamation of smaller patches. Seedlings recruited into small sediment pockets in tidepools during spring, but few survived through summer because of removal by wave action. Experimental perturbation of patches resulted in increased erosion followed by decreased growth rates and, in many small patches, mortality. Removing only seagrass blades, however, resulted in increased production of new shoots relative to controls. Overall, seagrass patches are susceptible to disturbance, successful rclcruitment by seedlings may be rare or at least episodic, and populations are probably long-Lived and depend on slow vegetative growth for maintenance and expansion.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Patch dynamics and response to disturbance of the seagrass Zostera novazelandica on intertidal platforms in southern New Zealand

Ramage¹,

Schiel²

1999

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This algorithm complements use of water quality models (Madden and Kemp 1996;Cerco and Moore 2001) for managing SAV resources. Simulation models can be used to predict how SAV habitat conditions respond to scenarios for changing nutrient and Conover 1964;Westlake 1967;Sculthorpe 1967;Scoffin 1970;Phillips 1974;Fonseca et al 1982;Madsen and Sondergaard 1983;Werner and Wise 1982;Fonseca and Kenworthy 1987;Koch 1994;Merrell 1996. b Joanen and Glasgow 1965;Hannan 1967;Rawls 1975;Stevenson and Confer 1978;Stewart et al 1997;Dan et al 1998. c Burrell and Schubel 1977;Carter et al 1985;Posey et al 1993;Short et al 1993;Edgar and Shaw 1995;Dan et al 1998.…”

Section: Concluding Commentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat requirements for submerged aquatic vegetation in Chesapeake Bay: Water quality, light regime, and physical-chemical factors

et al. 2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We developed an algorithm for calculating habitat suitability for seagrasses and related submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) at coastal sites where monitoring data are available for five water quality variables that govern light availability at the leaf surface. We developed independent estimates of the minimum light required for SAV survival both as a percentage of surface light passing through the water column to the depth of SAV growth (PLW min ) and as a percentage of light reaching leaves through the epiphyte layer (PLL min ). Values were computed by applying, as inputs to this algorithm, statistically derived values for water quality variables that correspond to thresholds for SAV presence in Chesapeake Bay. These estimates of PLW min and PLL min compared well with the values established from a literature review. Calculations account for tidal range, and total light attenuation is partitioned into water column and epiphyte contributions. Water column attenuation is further partitioned into effects of chlorophyll a (chl a), total suspended solids (TSS) and other substances. We used this algorithm to predict potential SAV presence throughout the Bay where calculated light available at plant leaves exceeded PLL min . Predictions closely matched results of aerial photographic monitoring surveys of SAV distribution. Correspondence between predictions and observations was particularly strong in the mesohaline and polyhaline regions, which contain 75-80% of all potential SAV sites in this estuary. The method also allows for independent assessment of effects of physical and chemical factors other than light in limiting SAV growth and survival. Although this algorithm was developed with data from Chesapeake Bay, its general structure allows it to be calibrated and used as a quantitative tool for applying water quality data to define suitability of specific sites as habitats for SAV survival in diverse coastal environments worldwide.

show abstract

“…The influence of exposure time on eelgrass occurrence was obtained from field observations in the south-west Netherlands, on data concerning the tidal curve in the different parts of the Wadden Sea (de Jonge and de Jong 1992) and on the vertical distribution of eelgrass in the past (Feekes 1936). Influence of current velocity on eelgrass occurrence was derived from data published by Fonseca et al (1983) and Fonseca and Kenworthy (1987). The effect of wave activity on eelgrass occurrence was established by field observations mainly in the south-west Netherlands in combination with results from available wave models and our own field expertise.…”

Section: First Integration Step: Towards a Habitat Mapmentioning

confidence: 99%

Policy plans and management measures to restore eelgrass ( Zostera marina L.) in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Jonge¹,

Jong²,

Katwijk

2000

Helgoland Marine Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Dutch Wadden Sea has been changed dramatically over the last centuries by human activities like land reclamation and different forms of fishery. This has, amongst other things, led to changes in the number of biological communities. One of the changes was the near extinction of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in the Dutch Wadden Sea. The deterioration of the area led to policy plans in the late 1980s that aimed at restoring the original natural communities of which the eelgrass community was one. This paper presents a restoration strategy which contains a selection procedure for suitable transplantation sites. The selection procedure is based on factors such as sediment composition, exposure time, current velocity and wave action. These were combined in a GIS-based map integrating these factors. One important action in the restoration process is to increase the number of freshwater discharge points to meet the requirements of the brackish water community in general and the growing conditions for eelgrass in particular.

show abstract

Effects of current on photosynthesis and distribution of seagrasses

Cited by 183 publications

References 43 publications

Patch dynamics and response to disturbance of the seagrass Zostera novazelandica on intertidal platforms in southern New Zealand

Patch dynamics and response to disturbance of the seagrass Zostera novazelandica on intertidal platforms in southern New Zealand

Habitat requirements for submerged aquatic vegetation in Chesapeake Bay: Water quality, light regime, and physical-chemical factors

Policy plans and management measures to restore eelgrass ( Zostera marina L.) in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About