Abstract
Through biweekly census, from January to December 1987, leaf dynamics and production of a perennial, intertidal population of Zostera marina L., were studied near the southern distributional limit of the species (30°N) in Baja California, Mexico. Shoots had an average of 4.0 leaves, and 1.0 new leaf appeared every week. The average number of new leaves per shoot was highest from May to August, while the average number of leaves present per shoot peaked during the September–December period. A maximum leaf area index of 4.1 m 2 m −2 was recorded at the end of the summer. Growth and production were continuous during the year, and annual means were 10 m m −2 d −1, and 0.9 g dry wt m −2 d −1 respectively, with peak values in September. Growth and production were positively correlated with light and water temperature. This southern population presents a summer condition (May to October) during which, values increase and reach their maximum, and a winter condition (November to April) with low values. Intertidal zone shoots are characterized by their small size and high dynamics, with an average plastochrone interval value of 8.2 days, an average lifetime of a leaf of 37.6 days, and an annual turnover rate of 9.71 yr −1. Environmental stability apparently allows vegetative activity to proceed throughout the year.
Published Version
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