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A GRADIENT IN BENTHIC INTERTIDAL ALGAL ASSEMBLAGES ALONG THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST 1
Author(s) -
Thom Ronald M.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8817.1980.tb03004.x
Subject(s) - intertidal zone , ordination , benthic zone , upwelling , biology , ecology , oceanography , algae , gradient analysis , environmental gradient , intertidal ecology , habitat , geology
Based on an analysis floristic data, a gradient appears to exist in the composition of intertidal algae along the 450 km of southern California coastline immediately south of Point Conception. Reciprocal averaging ordination of the algal flora at 51 sites in this area suggests that the gradient is not strictly latitudinal. Variation from a latitudinal gradient occurs ca. 60‐80 km south of Point Conception. An ordination of frequently occurring species indicated that compositional changes are substantial when sites at the extreme north and south are compared, but that the changes are gradual and continuous. Possible explanations for the gradient are discussed, and these include: sea temperature, upwelling, sand movement, human disturbance (i.e., pollution, trampling), and wave action.