Morphological responses and interactions of clonal marine macrophytes with their nutrient environment

Ziel

Sea-grasses and meadow forming macro-algae are renowned for their high productivity. Knowledge of the dynamics and of these systems and what drives these is therefore crucial in understanding them. Sea-grass species all share a common architecture of clonal growth. Many seaweeds also possess this clonal integration, however, are usually ignored in this context. By differential or changing investments in below- or aboveground plant parts clonal plants are able to escape adverse conditions and rapidly colonise a new environment. In the marine realm, this strategy as a way to explore sediment nutrient resources is not clear.

To more understand the dynamics of sea-grass and clonal macro-algal meadows this project aims to elucidate the influence of sediment and water nutrient resources on the architecture, ecophysiology and colonising potential of intertidal and sub-tidal sea-grasses and clonal seaweeds. Investigation will take place at two levels: a population level and a plant organismal level. The first level will include effects of sediment fertilisation on population structure and colonising capacity of species. Studies on the second level will include development and evaluation of indicators of plant stress (nutrient limitation, adverse temperature, etc.). This stud y can be of special importance in trying to understand and predict the recent clonal algal proliferations in the Mediterranean caused by species of the genus Caulerpa. Results of this study may indeed be used to develop and fine-tune management plans for coastal nature conservation.

Wissenschaftliches Gebiet

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Koordinator

CENTER OF MARINE SCIENCES OF ALGARVE

EU-Beitrag

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Adresse

Universidade do Algarve Campus de Gambelas
FARO
Portugal

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