Colonization of subtidal macroalgae in a fucalean-dominated algal assemblage,southwestern Australia |
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Authors: | Nisse A Goldberg |
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Institution: | (1) School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia |
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Abstract: | The influence of fucalean canopy species and dominant understory macroalgae on algal colonization was investigated to evaluate
whether layering contributes to patterns in algal diversity. Patterns in recruitment were compared among total-clearing, understory-removal,
canopy-removal, and undisturbed plots (plot area = 0.25 m2), using a randomized block design in depths <10 m and 10–20 m at Woody Island, Western Australia. To evaluate if propagules
were available in the water column above the canopy layer, settlement plates (plate area = 0.04 m2) were deployed in depths <10 m, 10–20 m, and >20 m. A total of 198 macroalgal species was recorded. Biomass of the understory
species Osmundaria prolifera Lamouroux and Botryocladia sonderi Silva was similar between canopy-removal and undisturbed plots. Diversity of macroalgae was similar in the presence and absence
of a canopy layer. Taxa found in the canopy showed different patterns in recruitment. Cystoseiraceae recruited predominantly
in total-clearings in both depth strata. Sargassaceae recruited most abundantly in depths <10 m. Density of canopy taxa on
settlement plates was similar with depth (20–30 juveniles per plate), and juveniles were mainly Cystoseiraceae. In contrast
to kelp beds or forests, patterns in algal colonization appeared to be maintained by environmental factors or processes other
than the direct effects of layering in the subtidal fucoid-dominated assemblages at Woody Island.
Handling editor: K. Martens |
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Keywords: | Australia Canopy Recruitment Understory |
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