The tolerance to desiccation of the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa (Petagna) grande and Zostera capensis Setchell
Adams, J.B.; Bate, G.C. (1994). The tolerance to desiccation of the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa (Petagna) grande and Zostera capensis Setchell. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 183(1): 53-62. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(94)90156-2
In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Elsevier: New York. ISSN 0022-0981; e-ISSN 1879-1697, more
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| Keywords |
Luminescence > Fluorescence
Separation > Desiccation
Ruppia cirrhosa (Petagna) Grande, 1918 [WoRMS]; Zostera capensis Setchell, 1933 [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Estuary; Submerged macrophyte |
| Abstract |
The effect of short-term desiccation (0–120 min) on Zostera capensis and Ruppia cirrhosa, two dominant submerged macrophytes in South African estuaries, was measured using chlorophyll fluorescence ( FvFm ratio). The FvFm ratio for Zostera leaf tissue decreased to a constant minimum level after 30-min exposure. The FvFm ratio for Ruppia leaf tissue decreased as the degree of desiccation (exposure time) increased. Zostera was 75% desiccated after 30 min, whereas Ruppia was 63% desiccated. Zostera recovered better than did Ruppia after 24 h of resubmergence. After 4 days of resubmergence both plants in all exposure treatments showed complete recovery, i.e. the FvFm ratios had increased to the initial values. This recovery was related to the rapid growth of new leaves and not the recuperation of desiccated leaves. Neither species recovered from a desiccation treatment lasting 1 wk. A daily exposure of 5 h did not effect Zostera leaf production but was lethal for Ruppia. Ruppia is more sensitive to desiccation and Zostera possibly outcompetes Ruppia in tidal marine habitats. |
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