Negative relationships between the nutrient and carbohydrate content of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum
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Material Information

Title:
Negative relationships between the nutrient and carbohydrate content of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum
Series Title:
Aquatic Botany
Creator:
Campbell, Justin E.
Yarbro, Laura A.
Fourqurean, James W.
Publisher:
Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Seagrasses -- Florida
Plant nutrients -- Florida
Coastal ecology -- Florida
Genre:
article
serial ( sobekcm )
Spatial Coverage:
Florida
Coordinates:
28 x -82

Notes

Abstract:
This study documents relationships between plant nutrient content and rhizome carbohydrate content of a widely distributed seagrass species, Thalassia testudinum, in Florida. Five distinct seagrass beds were sampled for leaf nitrogen, leaf phosphorus, and rhizome carbohydrate content from 1997-1999. All variables displayed marked intra- and inter- regional variation. Elemental ratios (mean N:P ± S.E.) were lowest for Charlotte Harbor (9.9 ± 0.2) and highest for Florida Bay (53.5 ± 0.9), indicating regional shifts in the nutrient content of plant material. Rhizome carbohydrate content (mean ± S.E.) was lowest for Anclote Keys (21.8 ± 1.6 mg g-1FM), and highest for Homosassa Bay (40.7 ± 1.7 mg g-1FM). Within each region, significant negative correlations between plant nutrient and rhizome carbohydrate content were detected; thus, nutrient-replete plants displayed low carbohydrate content, while nutrient-deplete plants displayed high carbohydrate content. Spearman's rank correlations between nutrient and carbohydrate content varied from a minimum in Tampa Bay (ρ =-0.2) to a maximum in Charlotte Harbor (ρ =-0.73). Linear regressions on log-transformed data revealed similar trends. This consistent trend across five distinct regions suggests that nutrient supply may play an important role in the regulation of carbon storage within seagrasses. Here we present a new hypothesis for studies which aim to explain the carbohydrate dynamics of benthic plants.
Citation/Reference:
Campbell, J.E., L.A. Yarbro, J.W. Fourqurean. 2012. Negative relationships between the nutrient and carbohydrate content of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum. Aquatic Botany 99: 56-60.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Please contact the owning institution for licensing and permissions. It is the users responsibility to ensure use does not violate any third party rights.
Resource Identifier:
FI14082516