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dc.contributor.authorKohlmeier, D.
dc.contributor.authorPilditch, C.
dc.contributor.authorBornman, Janet
dc.contributor.authorBischof, K.
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T14:47:36Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T14:47:36Z
dc.date.created2014-07-21T20:00:26Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.identifier.citationKohlmeier, D. and Pilditch, C. and Bornman, J. and Bischof, K. 2014. Site specific differences in morphometry and photophysiology in intertidal Zostera muelleri meadows. Aquatic Botany. 116: pp. 104-109.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/41018
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.aquabot.2014.02.011
dc.description.abstract

We evaluated spatial differences in seagrass cover related to environmental conditions (light, temperature, sediment grain size distribution, and porewater nutrients) and differences in seagrass photosynthetic pigment composition and morphometry (above and below ground biomass, shoot length and leaf width, and percentage cover) at four sites in the meso-tidal estuarine lagoon Tauranga Harbour, North Island, New Zealand. Two sites were sandy and wave-exposed and two others were muddy and sheltered, while one of each site types was located in the north and south of Tauranga Harbour, respectively. Results showed marked differences in environmental conditions, seagrass metrics as well as in pigment content and composition. In particular, the sheltered site in the north was found to be different from the other sites, having the lowest light regime and highest mud and phosphate content. Seagrass at this site had the highest overall biomass, with especially high above ground biomass as well as elevated overall pigment content and both light harvesting and protective pigments. The exposed site in the north had the highest light levels and the lowest porewater ammonium content, accommodating intermediate seagrass biomass and low pigment contents. The two sites in the south had intermediate environmental conditions (except for the sheltered site, which had the highest porewater ammonium content), but lower seagrass biomass than the sites in the north. Our findings indicate that Zostera muelleri shows a high physiological and morphological plasticity and can grow in a wide range of environmental conditions. Intermediate light conditions, high mud content and phosphate content seem to benefit seagrass growth.

dc.publisherElsevier Science
dc.subjectSeagrass
dc.subjectPhotosynthetic pigments
dc.subjectIntertidal habitat
dc.subjectBiomass
dc.subjectEnvironmental conditions
dc.titleSite specific differences in morphometry and photophysiology in intertidal Zostera muelleri meadows
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume116
dcterms.source.startPage104
dcterms.source.endPage109
dcterms.source.issn0304-3770
dcterms.source.titleAquatic Botany
curtin.departmentSchool of Management
curtin.accessStatusFulltext not available


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