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THE ECOLOGY OF DRIFT ALGAE IN THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, FLORIDA
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TitleTHE ECOLOGY OF DRIFT ALGAE IN THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, FLORIDA
AuthorLiss, Julie Lynnae
KeywordsArts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic
Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences
Attached algae
Codium decorticatum
Drift accumulation
Fluorometry
Gracilaria tikvahiae
Macroalgae
AbstractTo gain an understanding of the ecology of drift algae in the Indian River Lagoon system along the east coast of central Florida, four questions were addressed: 1) What is the composition and rate of accumulation of drift? 2) How much movement and turnover occurs within drift accumulations? 3) Do growth rates differ for drift versus attached algae? 4) Is there a difference in photosynthetic performance in drift versus attached algal species? Manipulative field and laboratory experiments were conducted to address these questions with the green macroalga Codium decorticatum and the red macroalga Gracilaria tikvahiae. Changes in pigment concentration and biomass were used as indicators of acclimation from an attached to drift state in Gracilaria tikvahiae and Codium decorticatum. Short-term physiological changes as demonstrated by electron transport rate (ETR) were also used as indications of acclimation from an attached to drift state in C. decorticatum. Composition and rate of accumulation of drift varied by season. While both transport and turnover of drift occurred, turnover within drift accumulations occurred at low rates and was significantly lower in the spring during decreased flow rates. There were no significant differences in growth or pigment concentrations in drift versus attached G. tikvahiae or C. decorticatum. In addition, there were no apparent physiological acclimations to a drift state in C. decorticatum.
AdviserWalters, Linda J.
PublisherUniversity of Central Florida
DegreeM.S.
Degree DisciplineDepartment of Biology
Degree GrantorArts and Sciences
Degree ProgramBiology
Graduation Date2004-08-01
TypeMaster's thesis
Access LevelPublic - Allow Worldwide Access
Release Date2004-08-01
RepositoryUniversity Archives
Repository CollectionElectronic Theses and Dissertations
IdentifierCFE0000112
Access Linkhttp://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0000112

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