Photoinhibition of photosynthesis on a coral reef |
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Authors: | L. A. FRANKLIN G. G. R. SEATON C. E. LOVELOCK A. W. D. LARKUM |
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Affiliation: | Research School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Advanced Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia;School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia |
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Abstract: | Photoinhibition of macroalgae in the epilithic algal community (KAC) of coral reefs was studied using chlorophyll fluorescence techniques at One Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Fv/Fm (variable to maximum fluorescence, darkened samples) of shallow macroalgae declined by 50% on fine summer and winter days, recovering in late afternoon. Within a species, thalli from low-light habitats were more photoinhibited (2h at 1400μimol m?2 s?1) than those from high-light habitats. The sensitivity of Lobophora variegata (Phacophyta) and Chlorodesmis fastigiata (Chlorophyta) increased with depth (1 versus 20 m). However, shallow Halimeda tuna (Chlorophyta) plants growing between corals were more photoinhibited than those from deep, open areas. Photoinhibition and recovery were depth- and species-specific. Shallow Lobophora and Chlorodesmis maintained a greater degree of Q A oxidation during photoinhibition. In deep thalli, reduced effective quantum yield of open photosystem II centres reflected lower proportions and excitation capture efficiencies of open centres. In Lobophora, zeaxanthin formation accompanied non-photochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ), but in Chlorodesmis NPQ was limited and no zeaxanthin or antherxanthin formed. Higher photosynthetic efficiency in the lower storey of the EAC may compensate for photoinhibition in the upper storey, thereby reconciling photoinhibition of individual thalli with previous observations of no net inhibition of community productivity. |
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Keywords: | Chlorodesmis fastigiata Halimeda tuna Padina pymnospora Lobophora vuriegata Laurencia intricata chlorophyll fluorescence coral reef macroalgae photoinhibition photosynthesis |
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