Drastic decadal decline of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa at Gran Canaria (eastern Atlantic): Interactions with the green algae Caulerpa prolifera

摘要: Abstract The shoot density, leaf length and biomass of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson were found to severely decline in last 17 years oceanic island Gran Canaria (central Eastern Atlantic). Five meadows sampled summer winter 1994–1995 2011. decrease C. correlated with a 3-fold increase green rhizophytic algae Caulerpa prolifera (Forsskal) J.V. Lamoroux over same time period, although this varied notably among meadows. We also documented negative correlation between at island-scale, sampling 16 Experimental evidence demonstrated that can cause significant impacts on : plots total (100%) removals had ca. 2.5 more shoots 3.5 times , after 8 months, compared 50% untouched control plots. Interference by appears partially explain decay abundance populations Canaria. This study, however, did not identify potential underlying processes and/or environmental alterations may have facilitated disappearance .