Seasonal Trends in the Adriatic Seagrass Communities of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson, Zostera marina L.: Plant Phenology, Biomass Partitioning, Elemental Composition and Faunal Features

摘要: Three seagrass systems, represented by Posidonia oceania (L.) Delile, Cymodocea nodosa(Ucria) Ascherson and Zostera marina L. were studied on a yearly cycle in their seasonal evolution different sites of the Adriatic Sea.The aim this study, conducted frame programme PRISMA 2 (Programmma di Ricerca e Sperimentazione per la Salvaguardia del mare Adriatico) was to follow temporal patterns these ecosystems Sea, order investigate functional mechanisms. Structural attributes meadows (i.e. shoot density phenological parameters) measured biomass contributions plant compartments associated communities (epiphytes vagile fauna) estimated Analyses macronutrients (carbon nitrogen) aimed at identifying relative proportion within living part ecosystem. Shoot showed marked seasonality C nodosa Z. Marina, while it constant, as well known, P. oceanica. Some structural parameters density, leaf length, LAI) varied seasonally, seagrasses, following accordance with eco-physiology. Total highest Different (above- vs below-ground) contributed differently total investigated species. In oceanica C. nodosa, below-ground parts accounted for through year, above- more balanced.The study carbon nitrogen composition organs comparative stability content over time, whereas levels followed welldefined trends each three species, maxima generally occurring winter, except nodosa. The observed point occurrence strategies among species than one level.