Cyclic Changes along Posidonia oceanica Rhizomes (Lepidochronology): Present State and Perspectives |
| |
| Authors: | Gérard Pergent Charles-François Boudouresque Alain Crouzet Alexandre Meinesz |
| |
| Institution: | Laboratoire d'Ecologic du Benthos et de Biologic Végétale Marine, Facultédes Sciences de Luminy, F-13288 Marseille cedex 9, France.;Laboratoire de Biologic et d'Ecologic Marines, Universitéde Nice, Pare Valrose, F-06034 Nice cedcx, France. |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract. Leaf sheaths in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica can persist for millcnia and they show, according to their insertion rank, cyclic variations in parameters such as thickness and tissue structure. The principal cycles are always annual, but pluriannual cycles can also be detected. Annual cycles may be changed by environmental parameters such as light, temperature, or water movement. In a fashion analogous to the study of annual tree rings (dendrochronology), the study of cyclic changes in Posidonia oceanica sheaths is thus a technique allowing the study of past yearly changes in the near-shore environment. |
| |
| Keywords: | Key words: Posidonia oceanica cyclic changes lepidochronology |
|
|
