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Effects of El Niño on local hydrography and growth of the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera , at Santa Catalina Island, California 1
Author(s) -
Zimmerman Richard C.,
Robertson Deborah L.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1985.30.6.1298
Subject(s) - macrocystis pyrifera , frond , kelp , productivity , nutrient , upwelling , oceanography , algae , kelp forest , environmental science , canopy , biology , hydrography , botany , ecology , geology , economics , macroeconomics
Deepened isotherms associated with El Niño resulted in severe nutrient limitation and very low kelp productivity during the last half of 1983. Frond growth rates were so low that terminal blades formed before reaching the surface, eliminating the canopy. Frond initiation rates were also extremely low, resulting in significant reductions in mean plant size. Plants growing above 10 m were more severely affected than plants at 20 m. These results suggest that nutrient pulses associated with internal waves are critical for survival of Macrocystis pyrifera in nutritionally marginal habitats in southern California.