SEASONAL EFFECT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC CAPACITY OF INTERTIDAL MICROPHYTOBENTHOS AND TEMPERATURE1

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe response of the photosynthetic capacity (Pmax) of microphytobenthos to short‐term variations of temperature (in the range 5–35° C) was assessed on a seasonal basis. The relationship is described mathematically, and relevant physiological parameters are identified: PMAX, the maximum value of Pmax achieved at Topl, the optimum temperature. Estimated values of Topt do not change significantly throughout the year and remain close to 25° C. It is thus concluded that Topt is not influenced by seasonal variations in the daily range of mud surface temperature. Identical conclusions hold for Tmax (ca. 38° C), the thermal threshold beyond which no photosynthesis occurs. Conversely, PMA estimates exhibit substantial variability: PMAX (mean ± root mean square error) is highest in April (11.18 ± 0.42 [μg C · [μg Chl a]−1· h−1) during the beginning of the annual increase in temperature, photoperiod, and maximum irradiance and is lowest in December (3.04 ± 0.16 μg C · [μg Chl a]−1· h−l). From an ecological point of view, the short‐term and seasonal variations of PMAX suggest that the microphytobenthic community takes advantage of the abiotic spring environmental conditions, allowing the onset of the bloom. Nevertheless, no “acclimation strategy” (i.e. shifts in Topt and Tmax that prevent temperature inhibition in summer or improve photosynthetic rates in winter) is apparent from our results.