Water trapping by seagrasses occupying bank habitats in Florida Bay

Powell, George; Schaffner, Fred Charles

doi:10.1016/0272-7714(91)90027-9

Cited by 17 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In contrast, Z. marina populations were located in the more stable subtidal habitat. Intertidal seagrasses can resist exposure to air when they occur as dense, continuous populations because the leaves that lie flat on the sediment surface retain water, thereby avoiding desiccation (Powell & Schaffner 1991). The Z. japonica population formed dense meadows and maintained significantly higher shoot density than the subtidal Z. marina population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal dynamics of subtidal Zostera marina and intertidal Zostera japonica on the southern coast of Korea

Lee¹,

Kim²,

Lee³

2006

Marine Ecology

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ProblemThe temporal dynamics of different seagrass species in the same locality exhibit similar responses to seasonal forcing, but the magnitude of fluctuations in seasonal growth is species-dependent (Marba et al. 1996). In temperate waters, the strong seasonality of seagrasses responds, in the form of plant growth, to seasonal variation in light and temperature (Phillips et al. 1983; Olesen & SandJensen 1994;Laugier et al. 1999). A comparative analysis of the growth dynamics of different seagrass species forming monospecific meadows showed that differences in shoot growth and species-specific differences in seasonal dynamics are associated with differences in seagrass size. Large species are longer-lived and slower-growing, whereas smaller species are shorter-lived and grow faster (Duarte 1991;Marba et al. 1996). Seagrass size differences may determine the type of environment they occupy; small species usually inhabit frequently disturbed habitats, whereas large seagrasses require more stable environments AbstractThe temporal dynamics of two seagrass species, Zostera marina and Z. japonica, were monitored monthly in Dadae Bay, Geoje Island, on the southern coast of Korea. Plant morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, leaf production, reproductive effort, and environmental characteristics were monitored from July 2001 to July 2002. Zostera japonica occurred in the intertidal zone and Z. marina occurred in the subtidal zone from 0.5 to 2.5 m below the mean low water level. Shoots and rhizomes were significantly larger in Z. marina than in Z. japonica, whereas the shoot density was greater in Z. japonica than in Z. marina. Despite differences in morphology and shoot density, biomass did not differ significantly between the species. Reproduction occurred from April to June in Z. marina and from May to July in Z. japonica. The proportion of reproductive shoots was approximately three times higher in Z. marina than in Z. japonica. Seasonal variation in the biomass of Z. japonica was caused by changes in both shoot size and density, whereas that of Z. marina was mainly caused by changes in shoot length. Leaf production in Z. marina and Z. japonica showed clear seasonal variation, and leaf production in Z. marina (2.6 ± 0.2 g DWAEm )2 AEday )1 ) was higher than that in Z. japonica (1.7 ± 0.2 g DWAEm )2 AEday )1 ). The mean plastochrone interval was not significantly different between the two species, whereas the leaf lifetime of Z. marina was longer (69 ± 7.8 days) than that of Z. japonica (59 ± 8.3 days). Our results indicated that seasonal leaf growth patterns in Z. japonica are correlated with irradiance and temperature, whereas those in Z. marina respond most to irradiance. Seasonal changes in irradiance appeared to control the temporal variation in above-ground biomass in both species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal dynamics of subtidal Zostera marina and intertidal Zostera japonica on the southern coast of Korea

Lee¹,

Kim²,

Lee³

2006

Marine Ecology

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“…Seagrasses affect shallow marine system tidal flows and Thalassia testudinum traps up to 20 cm of water at 25-70 cm above tide levels. 25,26 The trapping of 1-1.5 cm of water above receding tides by Exe Estuary Zostera beds extends the Wigeon feeding period there by up to 20 min. Given the restricted period of Zostera availability during the tide cycle, the duration of feeding required to meet daily energy requirements and desertion of feeding areas in response to human disturbance, 9 such an extension of feeding time may be critical to decisions made by Wigeon to remain or to switch to more profitable feeding sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zosteraexploitation by Brent Geese and Wigeon on the Exe Estuary, southern England

Fox¹

1996

Bird Study

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“…However, a seagrass meadow, when exposed, retains a thin layer of water, depending on standing crop. That is, when the standing crop of the meadow is high, the meadow retains more water (it slows the rate at which the water recedes) for longer periods than it does when the standing crop is low (Powell and Schaffner 1991). Trapping of water by seagrass can keep water on the meadow during low tides, preventing desiccation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes in biomass and shoot characteristics of a Zostera capricorni Aschers. Dominant meadow in Cairns Harbour, northern Queensland

McKenzie¹

1994

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Spatial and temporal variability of Z. capricorni biomass, shoot characteristics (canopy height, surface area, flowering), distribution and detrital content were examined from December 1988 to December 1990. Between August 1987 and August 1991, 15% (2.0 ha) of the meadow was lost. Biomass of above- and below-ground structures showed a unimodal seasonal pattern with maxima in late spring (mean 194.92 g dry weight m-2 and 426.67 g DW m-2 respectively) and minima in winter (mean 28.72 g DW m-2 and 56.98 g DW m-2 respectively). Mean above-ground biomass (95.53 � 2.21 g DW m-2) was approximately half the mean below-ground biomass (177.28 � 4.49 g DW m-2). Leaf canopy heights were greatest between October and February (maximum 53.4 cm) and lowest around mid year (minimum 4.4 cm). Leaf surface area per square metre of seagrass meadow ranged from 10.28 to 1.39 m2 (mean 3,692 � 0.104 m2), and flowering occurred during September and October. Detrital biomass ranged from 339.73g DW m-2 to 11.83 g DW m-2 (mean 77.39 � 2.36 g DW m-2). Detrital biomass was higher during July-October and lower during February-May. The climate during the study was typical for the area, and all trials displayed similar seasonal patterns, although the amplitudes differed among some trials. The environmental parameters that may influence seagrass and detrital biomass were investigated. The best models explained only 14% of the variation in above-ground biomass, 15% of the variation in below-ground biomass, and 21% of the variation in detrital biomass. These models suggest that fluctuations in seagrass and detrital biomass in Cairns Harbour were influenced by changes in light availability, temperature, salinity and exposure.

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Water trapping by seagrasses occupying bank habitats in Florida Bay

Cited by 17 publications

References 15 publications

Temporal dynamics of subtidal Zostera marina and intertidal Zostera japonica on the southern coast of Korea

Temporal dynamics of subtidal Zostera marina and intertidal Zostera japonica on the southern coast of Korea

Zosteraexploitation by Brent Geese and Wigeon on the Exe Estuary, southern England

Seasonal changes in biomass and shoot characteristics of a Zostera capricorni Aschers. Dominant meadow in Cairns Harbour, northern Queensland

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