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Variations in growth, erosion, productivity, and morphology of Ecklonia radiata (Alariaceae;Laminariales) along a fjord in southern New Zealand
Citation
Miller, SM and Hurd, CL and Wing, SR, Variations in growth, erosion, productivity, and morphology of Ecklonia radiata (Alariaceae;Laminariales) along a fjord in southern New Zealand, Journal of Phycology, 47, (3) pp. 505-516. ISSN 0022-3646 (2011) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2011 Phycological Society of America
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.2011.00966.x
Abstract
Spatial and temporal patterns of growth, erosion,
productivity, and morphology of the dominant habitat-
forming kelp Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J.
Agardh were studied bimonthly over 1.5 years in a
southern New Zealand fjord characterized by strong
gradients in light and wave exposure. Spatial differences
in growth were observed with rates at two
outer coast, high-light, wave-exposed sites reaching
0.42 and 0.45 cm · d-1, respectively, compared to
0.27 cm · d-1 at an inner, more homogeneous site.
Sporophyte productivity was similar among sites,
although population productivity was greater at the
outer sites due to population density being 5-fold
greater than at the inner site. It was expected that
the inner site would have no pronounced seasonal
pattern in growth and productivity due to its homogeneity;
however, all three sites displayed maximum
rates in late winter/spring and minimal in autumn.
Growth rates were 2-fold greater during the first
growth period than the following year. This discrepancy
was not correlated to inorganic nitrogen (N)
levels, which remained low year-round (<4 μM), and
is likely a result of an interaction between light and
temperature, and the photosynthetic capability of
E. radiata. Variable pigment content indicated
photoacclimation at the inner site. Morphological
differences were observed between sites, with E.
radiata from the inner site having longer, wider,
thinner blades and longer stipes. While E. radiata
displayed spatial differences in growth, erosion, productivity,
and morphology, populations displayed no
temporal differences. These results highlight the
need for greater understanding of the mechanisms
influencing kelp growth and productivity in a unique
marine environment.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | seaweed, Ecklonia, growth, production, photosynthesis, morphology, density, Doubtful Sound, kelp, laminarian, water motion |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Plant biology |
Research Field: | Phycology (incl. marine grasses) |
Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
Objective Group: | Adaptation to climate change |
Objective Field: | Ecosystem adaptation to climate change |
UTAS Author: | Hurd, CL (Professor Catriona Hurd) |
ID Code: | 91474 |
Year Published: | 2011 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 22 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2014-05-20 |
Last Modified: | 2014-11-24 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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