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The Detritic Compartment in a Posidonia oceanica Meadow: Litter Features, Decomposition Rates, and Mineral Stocks
Author(s) -
Romero Javier,
Pergent Gérard,
PergentMartini Christine,
Mateo MiguelAngel,
Regnier Cécile
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
marine ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1439-0485
pISSN - 0173-9565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0485.1992.tb00341.x
Subject(s) - posidonia oceanica , seagrass , rhizome , ecosystem , sink (geography) , potamogetonaceae , organic matter , botany , litter , detritus , nutrient , mediterranean climate , environmental science , sediment , biomass (ecology) , carbon sink , ecology , biology , paleontology , cartography , geography
. The ecosystem associated to the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica shows a clear distinction in two subcompartments regarding turnover time: aboveground and belowground. Aboveground parts (leaves) are highly dynamic, and most of the leaf material is decomposed or exported in less than one year, representing a net loss of nutrients. In contrast, belowground biomass (roots and rhizomes) has a turnover time of the order of centuries, with a consequent accumulation of organic matter in the sediment. The accumulation rates for the single elements rank in the order C > N > P. This ecosystem may be considered as a sink for biogenic elements.