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| Authors | Fong, CW; Lee, SY; Wu, RSS |
| Author Full Name | Fong, CW; Lee, SY; Wu, RSS |
| Title | The effects of epiphytic algae and their grazers on the intertidal seagrass Zostera japonica |
| Source | AQUATIC BOTANY |
| Language | English |
| Document Type | Article |
| Author Keywords | Zoslera japonica; epiphytes; grazing; Clithon; caging experiment |
| Keywords Plus | PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA; MARINA L; COMMUNITY STRUCTURE; WESTERN AUSTRALIA; SPECIES RICHNESS; COCKBURN SOUND; EELGRASS; GROWTH; BIOMASS; LEAVES |
| Abstract | The impact of the dominant grazers (Clithon spp.) of epiphytic algae on the biomass and percentage cover of a population of the intertidal seagrass Zostera japonica was investigated at Lai Chi Wo, northeast Hong Kong. The population density of Clithon spp. followed a seasonal pattern, varying between <1400 in summer to >2800 individuals m(-2) in winter. High population densities of the gastropods were temporally correlated with high biomass of epiphytic algae on the surface of Z. japonica. An exclusion experiment using full, half and open fences to manipulate the density of Clithon spp. resulted in significant differences in the biomass of the epiphytes between the full fences and the other two treatments after 47 days. The percentage cover of Z. japonica also decreased significantly in the full fence treatment after 120 days, as a result of increased sloughing of leaves. These results suggest that epiphytic algae and their grazers play an important role in the growth and survival of Z. japonica, and such interactions should be considered in the conservation of the species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. |
| Author Address | Univ Hong Kong, Swire Inst Marine Sci, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Peoples R China; City Univ Hong Kong, Dept Biol & Chem, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Peoples R China |
| Reprint Address | Lee, SY (corresponding author), Griffith Univ, Sch Environm & Appl Sci, PMB 50 GCMC, Nathan, Qld 9726, Australia. |
| E-mail Address | joe.lee@mailbox.gu.edu.au |
| ResearcherID Number | Wu, Rudolf/B-4203-2010; Lee, Joe S. Y./B-9185-2008 |
| ORCID Number | Lee, Joe S. Y./0000-0001-9336-2323 |
| Times Cited | 37 |
| Total Times Cited Count (WoS, BCI, and CSCD) | 46 |
| Publisher | ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV |
| Publisher City | AMSTERDAM |
| Publisher Address | PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS |
| ISSN | 0304-3770 |
| 29-Character Source Abbreviation | AQUAT BOT |
| ISO Source Abbreviation | Aquat. Bot. |
| Publication Date | AUG |
| Year Published | 2000 |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Beginning Page | 251 |
| Ending Page | 261 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | 10.1016/S0304-3770(00)00101-7 |
| Page Count | 11 |
| Web of Science Category | Plant Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Biology |
| Subject Category | Plant Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Biology |
| Document Delivery Number | 334GK |
| Unique Article Identifier | WOS:000088178600001 |
| Plants associated with this reference |