The Effects of Fertilization and Simulated Grazing on the Community Structure of a Seagrass Bed in South Florida

Authors

Sitti Zayda B. Halun, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Major/Program

Biology

First Advisor's Name

James W. Fourqurean

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Jennifer H. Richards

Third Advisor's Name

Joel C. Trexler

Fourth Advisor's Name

Steven F. Oberbauer

Fifth Advisor's Name

Piero R. Gardinale

Keywords

seagrass, nutrient addition, eutrophication, grazing, herbivory

Date of Defense

1-18-2011

Abstract

The importance of resource supply and herbivory in driving competitive interactions among species has been an important but contentious issue within ecology. These variables exhibit different effects on species competition when manipulated in isolation but interact when manipulated together. I tested the direct and interactive effects of nutrient addition and simulated grazing (clipping) on the competitive performance of primary producers and community structure of a seagrass bed in South Florida. One square meter experimental plots were established in a mixed seagrass meadow from August 2007 to July 2009. The experiment was a 3 x 3 factorial experiment: 3 fertility treatments: control, medium (2.4 mg N d^-1 and 80 µg P day^-1) and high (4.8 mg N d^-1 and 160 µg P day^-1) x 3 clipping intensities (0, 25% and 50 % biomass removal (G)) x 5 replicates for each treatment = 45 plots). Nutrient additions and simulated grazing were done every two months. Fertilization and simulated grazing decreased sexual reproduction in S. filiforme. Fertilization increased competitive dominance within the primary producers while simulated grazing counteracted this effect by removal of the dominant species. Fertilization ameliorated the negative impacts of simulated grazing while simulated grazing prevented competitive exclusion in the fertilized plots. Nutrient addition and simulated grazing both exerted strong control on plant performance and community structure. Neither bottom up nor top down influences was eliminated in treatments where both factors where present. The effects of fertilization on plant performance were marked under all clipping intensities indicating that the system is regulated by nutrient availability both in the presence or absence of grazers. Clipping effects were strong under both fertilized and unfertilized conditions indicating that the seagrass bed can be simultaneously under top-down control by grazers.

Identifier

FI11042501

Recommended Citation

Halun, Sitti Zayda B., "The Effects of Fertilization and Simulated Grazing on the Community Structure of a Seagrass Bed in South Florida" (2011). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 415.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/415