Leaf Phenology, Growth and Production of the Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa at El Médano (South of Tenerife, Canary Islands)

Reyes, J.; Sansón, Marta; Afonso-Carrillo, Julio

doi:10.1515/botm.1995.38.1-6.457

Cited by 30 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…At within-meadow scales, high-energy swells may remove seagrass vegetative fragments, particularly in winter, deteriorating seagrass vitality. In the Canary Islands, C. nodosa shows a clear seasonal pattern, with a summer peak in shoot density and biomass (Reyes et al, 1995a(Reyes et al, , 1995bTuya et al, 2006), similar to what has been observed in the Mediterranean Sea (Terrados and Ros, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Decadal changes in the structure of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows: Natural vs. human influences

Tuya

Ribeiro-Leite²,

Arto-Cuesta³

et al. 2014

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Keywords: seagrass water quality decline human-mediated impact Canary Islands a b s t r a c t Seagrass meadows are deteriorating worldwide. However, numerous declines are still unreported, which avoid accurate evaluations of seagrass global trends. This is particularly relevant for the western African coast and nearby oceanic archipelagos in the eastern Atlantic. The seagrass Cymodocea nodosa is an 'ecological engineer' on shallow soft bottoms of the Canary Islands. A comparative decadal study was conducted in 21 C. nodosa seagrass meadows at Gran Canaria Island to compare the structure (shoot density, leaf length and cover) between 2003 and 2012. Overall, 11 meadows exhibited a severe regression, while 10 remained relatively stable. During this period, natural influences (sea surface temperature, Chlorophyll-a concentration and PAR light, as well as the number of storm episodes detaching seagrasses) had a low predictive power on temporal patterns in seagrass structure. In contrast, proximity from a range of human-mediated influences (e.g. the number of outfalls and ports) seem to be related to the loss of seagrass; the rate of seagrass erosion between 2003 and 2012 was significantly predicted by the number of human-mediated impacts around each meadow. This result highlights promoting management actions to conserve meadows of C. nodosa at the study region through efficient management of local impacts.

show abstract

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Decadal changes in the structure of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows: Natural vs. human influences

Tuya

Ribeiro-Leite²,

Arto-Cuesta³

et al. 2014

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Living root and rhizome biomass, although not measured in our samples, can be roughly estimated as 3050 g dw m~2, taking into account the average below-ground biomass of shallow (above 13 m) Posidonia oceanica meadows measured in Ischia (Romero et al 1992) and Medes Islands (Mateo 1995). Shoot densities (1000-1900 shoots m~2) and biomass (up to 170 g dw m~2) of Cymodocea nodosa are also in the ranges reported from other meadows (Perez and Camp 1986, Peduzzi and Vukovic 1990, Terrados and Ros 1992, Reyes et al 1995. On the contrary, Zostera noltii densities (200-1600 shoots m~2) are lower than those reported by other authors (Perez and Camp 1986, Lent et al 1991, Vermaat et al 1993, Perez-Llorens and Niell 1993 Europe (Verhoeven 1980), and similar to other data reported from shallow bays and lagoons, also in September, in the Ebro Delta (Spain) (Perez 1989, Menendez andComin 1989).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Phytobenthic Assemblages of Addaia Bay (Menorca, Western Mediterranean): Composition and Distribution

Ribera¹,

Coloreu²,

Rodríguez‐Prieto³

et al. 1997

Botanica Marina

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Addaia Bay is a rather small (85 ha), shallow (less than 12 m depth) and sheltered bay situated on the northern coast of Menorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean), where the seabed is mostly covered by seagrass meadows. The seagrass Cymodocea nodosa dominates the inner parts of the bay, with densities up to 2325 shoots m~2, while Posidonia oceanica covers most of the outer part, with shoot densities ranging from 235 shoots m~2 in deep waters to 950 shoots m~2 at a depth of 2.5 m. Other widespread phytobenthic communities are dominated by Caulerpa prolifera (muddy bottoms), photophilic algal stands (rocks and dead Posidonia rhizomes), and Ruppia cirrhosa (very sheltered sites). The presence of a well preserved barrier reef made up of Posidonia oceanica in the eastern part of the bay is noteworthy, since these formations have disappeared or are in regression all over the Mediterranean coasts. The lagoon, situated at the inner side of the Posidonia reef, is covered by dense Cymodocea nodosa stands and free-living algae (Valonia aegagropila, Rytiphloea tinctoria and maerl). The only anthropic disturbances affecting the bay seem to be the construction of a marina and dredging. Considering the biomass values and the surfaces occupied by each community, the total phytobenthic standing crop of Addaia Bay in summer has been estimated as 12201 dw (4911 dw if the below ground biomass of Posidonia oceanica is not considered). Seagrasses account for nearly the 95% of the total biomass. Average primary production has been estimated to be around 530 g dw m~2 y" 1 , which emphasizes the important contribution of these bays to the total productivity of Mediterranean coastal areas and the predominant role played by seagrass meadows in these environments.

show abstract

“…Los muestreos se efectuaron en primavera y verano (junio a septiembre) de 2003. En esta época, las comunidades de fanerógamas marinas presentan los mayores valores de densidad de pies, altura de hojas y biomasa (Reyes et al 1995a(Reyes et al , 1995bTuya et al 2006), y valores máximos de diversos descriptores (riqueza y abundancia) de las comunidades de peces asociadas (Polifrone et al 2006, Tuya et al 2006. Durante el periodo primavera-verano, la temperatura media superficial del agua alrededor de las Islas Canarias orientales oscila entre 21 y 22.5 ºC, y la salinidad entre 36.3 y 36.7 (Navarro-Pérez y Barton 2001).…”

Section: Sampling Methodsunclassified

“…Surveys were conducted in spring and summer (June to September) of 2003. During these seasons, marine phanerogam communities present the highest shoot densities, leaf heights, and biomass (Reyes et al 1995a(Reyes et al , 1995bTuya et al 2006), and maximum values have been recorded for diverse descriptors (richness and abundance) of the associated fish assemblages (Polifrone et al 2006, Tuya et al 2006. During the spring-summer period, mean sea surface temperature in the eastern Canary Islands ranges from 21 to 22.5 ºC and salinity from 36.3 to 36.7 (Navarro-Pérez and Barton 2001).…”

Section: áRea Y Periodo De Estudiomentioning

confidence: 99%

Ichthyofauna associated with Cymodocea nodosa meadows in the Canarian Archipelago (central eastern Atlantic): Community structure and nursery role

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. We carried out 84 trawls in 41 seagrass meadows composed of the phanerogam Cymodocea nodosa at three islands of the Canarian Archipelago, during June to September 2003, in order to describe the associated ichthyofauna (composition, richness, and abundance), to analyze the role that this habitat can play in fish recruitment, and to determine the potential relationship between the spatial structure of the seagrass meadow and the patterns of richness and abundance of the fish assemblage. A total of 8298 individuals were captured. The five most relevant species, in terms of abundance and frequency, were Spondyliosoma cantharus, Diplodus annularis, Syngnathus typhle, Mullus surmuletus, and Pagellus erythrinus. Gran Canaria had the largest species richness (36 species) and mean number of species per sample (8.69 ± 0.49; mean ± SE). Lanzarote had the largest number of individuals (64.83% of the total registered) and mean total abundance per sample (168.39 ± 30.91). High densities of individuals were registered (95.86 ± 13.5) and 92.91% of fishes were juveniles. Our data showed that the physical configuration of the seagrass meadows did not significantly affect the patterns of richness and abundance of the associated fish assemblage. In conclusion, the C. nodosa meadows exhibited a singular ichthyofauna and they contribute to the maintenance of the diversity of the coastal fish assemblages in the Canarian Archipelago. This habitat constitutes, during spring and summer, a nursery habitat for juvenile fishes of many species, several of them commercially targeted.Key words: community structure, nursery habitat, Cymodocea nodosa, seagrass meadows, Canarian Archipelago. RESUMEN.Se realizaron 84 arrastres en 41 praderas marinas de la fanerógama Cymodocea nodosa en tres islas del Archipiélago Canario, de junio a septiembre de 2003, con los objetivos de describir la ictiofauna (composición, riqueza y abundancia) asociada, analizar el papel que puede desempeñar esta comunidad como hábitat para el reclutamiento y la cría de peces, y determinar la posible relación entre la estructura espacial de la pradera y la riqueza y abundancia del poblamiento de peces. Se capturaron 8298 individuos. Las cinco especies más importantes, en términos de abundancia y frecuencia, fueron Spondyliosoma cantharus, Diplodus annularis, Syngnathus typhle, Mullus surmuletus y Pagellus erythrinus. Gran Canaria presentó la mayor riqueza (36 especies) y número medio de especies por muestra (8.69 ± 0.49; media ± error estándar). Lanzarote presentó el mayor número de individuos (64.83% del total registrado) y abundancia total media por muestra (168.39 ± 30.91). Se registró una densidad alta de individuos (95.86 ± 13.5) y el 92.91% de los peces capturados fueron jóvenes. Nuestros datos mostraron que las diferencias en la estructura física de las praderas marinas no afectaron los patrones de riqueza y abundancia del poblamiento de peces. En conclusión, las praderas de C. nodosa en Canarias presentaron una ictiofauna característica, además contribuyen ...

show abstract

Leaf Phenology, Growth and Production of the Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa at El Médano (South of Tenerife, Canary Islands)

Cited by 30 publications

References 9 publications

Decadal changes in the structure of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows: Natural vs. human influences

Decadal changes in the structure of Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows: Natural vs. human influences

Phytobenthic Assemblages of Addaia Bay (Menorca, Western Mediterranean): Composition and Distribution

Ichthyofauna associated with Cymodocea nodosa meadows in the Canarian Archipelago (central eastern Atlantic): Community structure and nursery role

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About