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Temperature Effects on Photosynthesis and Depth Distribution of the Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa ( ucria ) A scherson in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon: the Mar Menor (SE Spain)
Author(s) -
Terrados J.,
Ros J. D.
Publication year - 1995
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.1439-0485.1995.tb00400.x
Subject(s) - seagrass , mediterranean climate , mediterranean sea , photosynthesis , oceanography , environmental science , biology , botany , ecology , ecosystem , geology
. Seasonal variation of temperature effects on photosynthesis and respiration of Cymodorea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson was investigated in a 1 m depth meadow in the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain). Light‐saturated net photosynthesis (P max )and dark respiration (R) rates were linearly correlated with water temperature between 10 and 30°C. and 10 and 35°C, respectively, during the year. Water temperature had a similar effect on R rates in August, November, and February, but increased P max rates in August vs. those in February, thus promoting a shift of the maximum P max /R ratio values from 15°C in February to 30°C in August. P‐I curves had higher P max values in May and August than in November or February, while Ic values remained relatively constant throughout the year. Whole‐plant carbon balances suggested that C. nodosa might not be able to survive in the central basin of the lagoon and that the spatial distribution of this seagrass in the Mar Menor might be controlled by light availability.