Interspecific variation in the elemental and stable isotope content of seagrasses in South Florida
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Material Information

Title:
Interspecific variation in the elemental and stable isotope content of seagrasses in South Florida
Series Title:
Marine Ecology Progress Series
Alternate title:
Interspecific variation in seagrass elemental and isotopic content
Creator:
Campbell, Justin E.
Fourqurean, James W.
Publisher:
Inter Research
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Seagrasses
Carbon -- Absorption and adsorption
Stable isotopes
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Fla.)
Genre:
article
serial ( sobekcm )
Spatial Coverage:
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Fla.)
Coordinates:
24.540415 x -81.723234

Notes

Abstract:
The elemental (C, N, and P) and isotope (δ13C, δ15N) content of leaves of the seagrasses Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, and Syringodium filiforme were measured across a 10 000 km2 survey of the seagrass communities of South Florida, USA, in 1999 and 2000. Trends at local and broad spatial scales were compared to examine interspecific variation in the seagrass characteristics often used as ecological indicators. The elemental and stable isotope contents of all species were variable and demonstrated marked interspecific variation. At broad spatial scales, mean N:P ratios were lowest for T. testudinum (36.5 ± 1.1) and S. filiforme (38.9 ± 1.3), and highest for H. wrightii (44.1 ± 1.8). Stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) were highest for S. filiforme (–6.2 ± 0.2‰), intermediate for T. testudinum (–8.6 ± 0.2‰), and lowest for H. wrightii (–10.6 ± 0.3‰). Stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) were heaviest for T. testudinum (2.0 ± 0.1‰), and lightest for H. wrightii (1.0 ± 0.3‰) and S. filiforme (1.6 ± 0.2‰). Site depth was negatively correlated to δ13C for all species, while δ15N was positively correlated to depth for H. wrightii and S. filiforme. Similar trends were observed in local comparisons, suggesting that taxon-specific physiological/ecological properties strongly control interspecific variation in elemental and stable isotope content. Temporal trends in δ13C were measured, and revealed that interspecific variation was displayed throughout the year. This work documents interspecific variation in the nutrient dynamics of 3 common seagrasses in South Florida, indicating that interpretation of elemental and stable isotope values needs to be species specific.
Citation/Reference:
Campbell, J.E., J.W. Fourqurean. 2009. Interspecific variation in the elemental and stable isotopic content of seagrasses in South Florida. Marine Ecology Progress Series 387: 109-123.

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:
FI14082544