Determining interspecific interactions between the dominant macrophytes of tropical, atlantic seagrass meadows

Authors

Braxton C. Davis, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Biology

First Advisor's Name

James W. Fourqurean

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Daniel L. Childers

Third Advisor's Name

Steven Miller

Date of Defense

7-23-1998

Abstract

Though often suggested in seagrass literature, interactions between abundant rhizophytic macroalgae and coexisting tropical seagrasses have not been directly examined. Based on a competitive interaction hypothesis, I first tested for negative correlations between species densities over large and small spatial scales. After finding negative correlations, I tested experimentally for a competitive interaction by manipulating the relative densities of the locally dominant seagrass and a representative macroalga. Based on significant growth responses to density manipulations, I demonstrated that these species are likely competing for some limiting resource, possibly nitrogen. This study contributes to a better understanding of processes that dictate community composition in these systems.

Identifier

FI14062209

Recommended Citation

Davis, Braxton C., "Determining interspecific interactions between the dominant macrophytes of tropical, atlantic seagrass meadows" (1998). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2743.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2743