| Abstract: | Abstract. In situ investigations of growth and production in a stand of Posidonia oceanica (L.) DELILE at a depth of 4 m at Ischia (Gulf of Naples) were carried out over two growing seasons. Posidonia starts to grow in August and an average bundle produces ten leaves in increasing time intervals until May. Growth curves for the leaves are given. Maximum leaf standing crop is in May with 1300 g dry weight per m-2, leaf area index at this time reaches 22 m2 m-2. Leaf net productivity is highest in March with 12 g dry weight per m2 per day. Annual leaf production is estimated as 3110 g dry weight per m2, “underground” production as 115 g dry weight per m2. About half the leaf production is exported from the system. Adaptive strategies of the growth and production pattern are discussed. |
