Abstract
All available action spectra of photosynthesis for benthic marine algae have been multiplied by the spectral distribution of the light at different depths in all Jerlov water types to predict the photosynthesis per unit quantum irradiance of each species in each habitat. Comparison of the predictions indicates that red algae are best adapted chromatically to photosynthesize at all depths (including 0 m) in all except the clearest oceanic waters. The results show little correlation with the patterns of vertical distribution of green, brown, and red algae in benthic marine habitats, and suggest, therefore, that light quality is not a major factor in the control of that distribution. A review of physiological evidence supports the hypothesis that the changes in pigment composition that are observed with increasing depth in marine algae are largely adaptations to low irradiance, and not to the spectral composition of underwater light.
Published Version
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