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Growth dynamics of the seagrass Halophila johnsonii from a subtropical estuarine lagoon in southeastern Florida, United States of America

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Date Issued:
1997
Summary:
Biomass, net production, turnover, and decomposition of the seagrass Halophila johnsonii were studied in the Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. Biomass and apical meristem density averaged 8.0 g dry wt/m^2 and 1122/m^2, respectively. Mean net productivity was 0.00154 g dry wt/shoot/day or 0.45cm/shoot/day with one new leaf pair for every 0.97 cm of shoot growth. Estimated turnover time was 4.6 days. Mean weight loss in plant material was 72% after three days and 88% after seven days. No evidence was found of sexual reproduction. Halophila johnsonii's growth dynamics in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones are characterized by low biomass, substantial apical meristem density, regular leaf pair production, rapid turnover, and rapid decomposition. Halophila johnsonii's growth in these zones provides an additional level of biomass and detritus to the shallow lagoon system.
Title: Growth dynamics of the seagrass Halophila johnsonii from a subtropical estuarine lagoon in southeastern Florida, United States of America.
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Name(s): Bolen, Layne Elizabeth
Florida Atlantic University, Degree Grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 1997
Physical Form: pdf
Extent: 66 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Biomass, net production, turnover, and decomposition of the seagrass Halophila johnsonii were studied in the Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. Biomass and apical meristem density averaged 8.0 g dry wt/m^2 and 1122/m^2, respectively. Mean net productivity was 0.00154 g dry wt/shoot/day or 0.45cm/shoot/day with one new leaf pair for every 0.97 cm of shoot growth. Estimated turnover time was 4.6 days. Mean weight loss in plant material was 72% after three days and 88% after seven days. No evidence was found of sexual reproduction. Halophila johnsonii's growth dynamics in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones are characterized by low biomass, substantial apical meristem density, regular leaf pair production, rapid turnover, and rapid decomposition. Halophila johnsonii's growth in these zones provides an additional level of biomass and detritus to the shallow lagoon system.
Identifier: 9780591437188 (isbn), 15413 (digitool), FADT15413 (IID), fau:12180 (fedora)
Note(s): Adviser: Alex Marsh.
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1997.
Subject(s): Biology, Botany
Biology, Ecology
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15413
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Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize\ archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU