128 Capturing the Light Fantastic: Oceanographic and Tidal Influences on Intertidal Algae

Abstract

Seaweeds experience many challenges to their persistence in intertidal zone habitats. Their growth rates must exceed losses associated with a range of ecological and physiological factors including desiccation, herbivory and wave forces. Growth rates depend on an alga's ability to capture and process light to build carbon‐based molecules. We examined local (tidal height) and large (oceanographic) scale influences on algal photosynthetic efficiency and light climate, respectively. At the local scale, we combined periodic measurements of physiological state using PAM fluorometry with traditional demographic monitoring of a Postelsia palmaeformis, population over a tidal height gradient. Parameter estimates derived from rapid fluorescence‐irradiance curves were correlated with longer‐term ecological performance measures including growth rate, morphology, survivorship and reproductive output. At larger scales, we made continuous in situ measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence and light attenuation in the intertidal zone at six sites during 2001 and 2002. Light attenuation to the benthos was sharply reduced at sites when chl‐a fluorescence was high. Long‐term, large‐scale monitoring of intertidal zone chl‐a and macroalgal abundances documents that striking differences among sites are persistent and associated with oceanographic factors. The light saturation parameter and maximum photosynthetic rate calculated for several common intertidal macrophytes, along with published values of the irradiance needed to saturate their growth rates, suggest that underwater light levels may limit intertidal algal growth where phytoplankton blooms are common and persistent. We conclude that physiological stress associated with tidal and oceanographic factors contribute to macroalgal distributions.