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Baseline Research >> Current Page Variable Responses within Epiphytic and Benthic Microalgal Communities to Nutrient Enrichment
Anna R. Armitage, Thomas A Frankovich & James W. Fourqurean
NPS Photo The effort to restore the Florida Everglades endeavors to move greater quantities of freshwater overland. These increased flows will also result in greater quantities of fresh water being discharged into the coastal waters of south Florida. Planned improvements to flows entering Florida Bay may also introduce terrestrial nutrients (primarily phosphorus and nitrogen) that could alter estuarine communities. This CESI-funded investigation examines the potential changes to algal communities that grow on and around seagrass beds in Florida Bay. Over the course of the study, researchers dosed plots within four distinct study sites to gauge the effect of added phosphorus and nitrogen. Results from the study show a marked difference in response from both benthic and epiphytic microalgal communities, and interesting response differences related to the location of each study site. RELATED PUBLICATIONS Armitage, A. R., Frankovich, T. A., Fourqurean, J. W. (2006). Variable responses within epiphytic and benthic microalgal communities to nutrient enrichment. Hydrobiologia, 569: 423-435 Contact the principal investigator directly with questions about this study, |
Last updated: June 23, 2016