Effects of Epiphyte Density on Seagrass Leaf Turnover Rate
Maria Luisa S. Orbita*1 and Hiroshi Mukai2
1Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology
Andres Bonifacio Avenue, Tibanga, Iligan City
2Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Akkeshi Marine Station
Hokkaido University, 5 Aikappu, Akkeshi-cho, Akkeshi-gun, Hokkaido, Japan
*Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
An experimental investigation on the effects of epiphyte density on leaf turnover rate was carried out on four temperate seagrass species: Zostera japonica, Zostera marina, Zostera asiatica, and Phyllospadix iwatensis. The four seagrass species were cultured in outdoor tanks under ambient conditions and leaf turnover rates were measured with the presence and absence of epiphytes. The leaf turnover rates of Z. japonica, Z. asiatica, and Z. marina when epiphytes were removed were significantly lower, but the same seagrass species exhibited faster leaf turnover rates under the control condition. The leaf turnover rate of Z. japonica, Z. marina, and Z. asiatica within the control and experimental conditions was significantly affected by the changes in the epiphyte density, while no significant effect was detected in P. iwatensis. This study shows that high epiphyte density enhanced high leaf turnover rates exhibited by Zostera species, as the adaptive mechanism against epiphytism.
INTRODUCTION
Seagrass meadows have been considered as one of the most productive of the marine ecosystems, contributing significantly to the productivity of shallow coastal areas of both temperate and tropical waters (McRoy & McMillan 1977; Zieman & Wetzel 1980). Seagrass epiphytes are an important component of these highly productive ecosystems, often contributing greater than one-third to the total above ground biomass (Penhale 1977; Heijs 1984; Tomasko & Lapointe 1991) and as much as 30% to the combined seagrass/epiphyte productivity (Penhale 1977; Morgan & Kitting 1984; Heijs 1984, 1985, 1987).
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