Seed bank, biomass, and productivity of Halophila decipiens, a deep water seagrass on the west Florida continental shelf

摘要: Abstract One of the largest contiguous seagrass ecosystems in world is located on shallow continental shelf adjacent to west coast Florida, USA and comprised seasonally ephemeral Halophila decipiens meadows. Little known about demography Florida H. , which may produce 4.56 × 10 8  g C day −1 or more during peak growing season. We documented distribution, biomass, productivity, density sediment seed reserves, seedlings, flowers fruits southeastern portion by sampling along a transect at three stations 10, 15, 20 m water depth. Biomass, flower, fruit, seedling, bank densities tended be highest 10–15 m depth lowest 20 m. Flowers fruit were most prevalent summer cruises (June August 1999, July 2000). Seedling germination occurred summer, fall (October 1999), winter (January 2000) events, with seedling present winter. Seed remained consistent through time. A Category I hurricane sustained winds 120 km h passed over stations, but only limited impact biomass was observed. The presence persistent provides for recovery after storm disturbance, annual reestablishment populations, continual maintenance 20,000 km 2 deep habitat shelf.