The Role of a Macroalgal Covering Event on the Microphytobenthos Community in Intertidal Sediment (Marano Lagoon, Northern Adriatic Sea) |
| |
| Authors: | Elisabetta Sdrigotti Chiara Welker |
| |
| Institution: | Laboratory of Marine Biology, Via A. Piccard 54,1-34010 Trieste, Italy.;Department of Biology, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, I-34127 Trieste, Italy. |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract. This study examines the variation in microphytobenthos structure and functioning in an intertidal lagoon during a macroalgal covering event. Multivariate techniques, applied on the recorded data, highlighted a clear seasonal pattern except for the July sample. The sudden macroalgae ( Cladophora sp.) development, which occurred in that month, enabled us to identify the massive covering as a disturbance factor on the benthic ecosystem. This biotic anomaly affected benthic microalgal production and community respiration, shifting the ecosystem from a highly photoautotrophic to an heterotrophic condition as shown by the BTS Index. This trophic index is therefore a useful tool for identifying episodic stress events mainly in intertidal habitats. |
| |
| Keywords: | Microphytobenthos macroalgae cover benthic production/respiration BTSIndex Marano Lagoon (Northern Adriatic Sea) |
|
|
