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MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

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MEPS - Vol. 628 - FEATURE ARTICLE
Ecosystem metabolism of (A) an invasive Gracilaria vermiculophylla macroalgal mat was measured in situ using (B) the aquatic eddy covariance technique. Photos: Martin Volaric

Volaric MP, Berg P, Reidenbach MA

 

An invasive macroalga alters ecosystem metabolism and hydrodynamics on a tidal flat

 

Non-native macroalgae can dramatically alter the metabolism and flow hydrodynamics of invaded ecosystems. The Japanese seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla (also referred to as Agarophyton vermiculophyllum) is a macroalga that has increasingly invaded American and European coastal waters. Volaric and colleagues combined in situ aquatic eddy covariance and profiling acoustic Doppler velocimetry measurements of an invasive Gracilaria mat to quantify its impact on the metabolism and hydrodynamics of a previously bare Virginia (USA) tidal flat. The dense Gracilaria mat significantly increased both tidal flat primary production and respiration, but overall was metabolically balanced. Flow and turbulence were significantly dampened beneath the algal canopy. These conditions are likely favorable to algal growth, suggesting a positive feedback loop that facilitates further algal colonization.

 

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