Waves and high nutrient loads jointly decrease survival and separately affect morphological and biomechanical properties in the seagrass Zostera noltii
La Nafie, Y.A.; de los Santos, C.B.; Brun, F.G.; van Katwijk, M.M.; Bouma, T.J. (2012). Waves and high nutrient loads jointly decrease survival and separately affect morphological and biomechanical properties in the seagrass Zostera noltii. Limnol. Oceanogr. 57(6): 1664-1672. dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2012.57.6.1664 In: Limnology and Oceanography. American Society of Limnology and Oceanography: Waco, Tex., etc. ISSN 0024-3590; e-ISSN 1939-5590, more |   |
| Authors | | Top | - La Nafie, Y.A., more
- de los Santos, C.B.
- Brun, F.G., more
| - van Katwijk, M.M., more
- Bouma, T.J., more
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| Abstract | In an 8-week aquarium experiment, we investigated the interactive effects of waves (present vs. absent) and water-column nutrient level (high vs. low) on the survival, growth, morphology, and biomechanics of the seagrass, Zostera noltii. Survival was reduced when plants were exposed to both waves and high nutrient levels. Wave and nutrient interaction significantly reduced aboveground biomass and leaf lengths, whereas waves independently reduced growth rate, internode abundance, elongation, and appearance rates. Nutrient supply significantly reduced the strength of the leaves. Wave and nutrient interaction was the main driving force affecting survival and morphological properties of seagrass, whereas dynamical characteristics were independently affected by waves, and nutrient supply affected mainly biomechanical properties. In conclusion, this experiment revealed that the combination of exposure to waves and high nutrient levels was detrimental for Z. noltii, which indicates that this could be an important unexplored force involved in seagrass declines. |
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