Production Ecology of the Seagrass Zostera marina in Jindong Bay, Korea

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Production dynamics of eelgrass, Zostera marina was examined in Jindong Bay on the south of the Korea peninsula. Eelgrass leaf productivities and environmental factors such as underwater photon flux density, water temperature, and nutrient availabilities in the water column and sediments were monitored from March 2002 to December 2003. While water temperature exhibited a distinct seasonal trend, underwater irradiance and nutrient availabilities exhibited high degree of fluctuation, and did not show a seasonal trend throughout the experimental periods. Eelgrass leaf elongation and production rates showed significant seasonal variations. Leaf productivity was highest in May (30.0 mg dry wt sht d or 3.7g dry wt md) and lowest in November (3.2 mg dry wt sht d or 0.12 g dry wt m d). Eelgrass leaf productivities did not show a strong correlation with underwater irradiance or environmental nutrient availabilities. The production rates, however, were positively correlated with water temperature during spring periods, and were correlated negatively at high water temperature exceeded 20℃ during summer months. While relative growth rates were highest in spring and lowest in high water temperature periods, plastochrone interval was longest during summer and shortest during spring. These results imply that seasonal growth dynamics of eelgrass, Z. marina was mainly controlled by water temperature.