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EFFECTS OF IN SITU LIGHT REDUCTION ON WILD CELERY, VALLISNERIA AMERICANA, IN PERDIDO BAY, AL
Citation:
Quarles, R L. AND J M. Macauley. EFFECTS OF IN SITU LIGHT REDUCTION ON WILD CELERY, VALLISNERIA AMERICANA, IN PERDIDO BAY, AL. Presented at 15th Biennial International Estuarine Research Federation Conference, New Orleans, LA, 25-30 September 1999.
Description:
The effects of reducing available light using commercially available shade cloth were examined in a densely populated grassbed of wild celery, Vallisneria americana. Grassbeds were shaded in treatments of 92% light reduction and 79% light reduction with control treatments (0% light reduction) mixed throughout. Measurements were taken of chlorophyll, above and below ground biomass, blade length/width ratios, total length and carbon:nitrogen ratios. There were no significant effects displayed between control treatments and the 79% light reduction treatments. Chlorophyll levels were consistently higher in seagrass blades in the 92% light reduction treatment. This treatment also exhibited less biomass (above and below ground) and blade growth was inhibited. Even though significant effects were displayed in the 92% treatment, particularly in chlorophyll production in the blades, Vallisneria demonstrated a high tolerance for light reduction and can survive at least one growing season under greatly reduced light.