Dynamics of a Macroalgal Rocky Intertidal Community in the Colombian Caribbean

Abstract

The macroalgal intertidal community at a tropical location (Punta de la Loma, Colombian Caribbean) was monitored at irregular intervals from 1992 to 1995. The highly diverse macroalgal community was relatively invariant in cover, taxa and biomass from small spatial scales (square centimeters). At larger spatial scales (square meters), however, there was a small but definitive seasonal pulse in dominance and composition. Sand intrusions over the rocky intertidal represents a strong disturbance reducing macroalgal cover during the dry season. Interannual variation was also detected. La Punta de la Loma appears to be influenced by the regional upwelling conditions. KEY WORDS: Dynamics, Macroalgal landscape, Intertidal, Colombian Caribbean. RESUMENDinámica de una comunidad macroalgal del intermareal rocoso en el Caribe colombiano. La comunidad macroalgal intermareal en una localidad tropical (La Punta de la Loma, Caribe colombiano), fue monitoreado a intervalos irregulares entre 1992 y 1995. La altamente diversa comunidad macroalgal presentó pocos cambios en cobertura, número de taxa y biomasa a la escala espacial de los cuadrantes (centímetros cuadrados). Sin embargo, a la escala espacial del paisaje (metros cuadrados) se detectó un pulso estacional en dominancia y composición, pequeño pero definido. Invasiones parciales de arena en la época seca constituyen fuertes eventos de perturbación que reducen la cobertura macroalgal. También se detectó variación interanual.La Punta de la Loma parece estar sujeta a las condiciones locales de surgencia.

Spatial and temporal variation of diverse inter‐tidal algal assemblages in Southwest O‘ahu

“…Within a tropical region it also appears that disturbances, such as sand and waves, influence algal assemblages. This is evident in the variable spatial composition and abundance over kilometers in this study and in other tropical regions (e.g., Cruz‐Motta, ; García & Díaz Pulido, ; Sibaja‐Cordero & Cortés, ; Su et al., ). Another common feature of tropical algal assemblages may be nutrient limitation that can be changed by inputs from natural or anthropogenic sources.…”

“…Within a tropical region it also appears that disturbances, such as sand and waves, influence algal assemblages. This is evident in the variable spatial composition and abundance over kilometers in this study and in other tropical regions (e.g., Cruz-Motta, 2007; García & Díaz Pulido, 2006;Sibaja-Cordero & Cortés, 2008;Su et al, 2009).…”

“…In other tropical inter‐tidal communities (e.g., Hong Kong), monsoonal conditions result in a more foliose algal assemblage in the cool season and crustose algal forms in the hot season (Kaehler & Williams, , ). Oceanographic upwelling is thought to alter macroalgal composition and abundance in northern regions of the Colombian Caribbean where inter‐tidal communities have been described as dominated by foliose, turf and crustose algal forms (García & Díaz Pulido, ). Lastly, a different composition of benthic inter‐tidal organisms has been noted in rocky shores for the central west coast of Venezuela and in Brazil, where foliose macroalgae are abundant, and composition varies over several spatial scales (Cruz‐Motta, ).…”

“…From the few observed patterns, it appears that temperature may play a greater role in structuring tropical than temperate habitats (Macusi & Deepananda, 2013;Menge & Lubchenco, 1981). Repeated surveys of communities at a few tropical rocky shores have also identified localized differences in algal assemblages linked to human impact (e.g., Deepananda & Macusi, 2012;Su, Chung, & Lee, 2009), wave activity (Bird, Franklin, Smith, & Toonen, 2013) and sedimentation (García & Díaz Pulido, 2006).…”

Interannual and Seasonal Changes in the Benthic Algae Flora of Coral Reef in Xiaodong Hai (Hainan Island, China)

“…On coral reefs in Brazil, most of the taxa were present during the summer rainy season (Feb.-Mar.). In the rocky intertidal of the Colombian Caribbean, the macroalgal community was most diverse in Oct., which historically has been the rainiest and calmest month of the year [25]. On the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, extensive ephemeral blooms of small, fleshy brown macroalgae, such as Chnoospora and Hydroclathrus, have been observed on shallow reef flats predominantly during winter and early spring [26].…”