The Effects of Marsh and Stem Position on Abundances of Meiofauna Located on Spartina Alterniflora
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Authors
De Vos, Paula S.
Issue Date
1990
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The intertidal zone of Georgia's coastline is dominated by softbottom
marshland with extensive Spartina alterniflora vegetation.
This marshland provides a habitat for numerous meiofaunal species
that hitherto have been classified as mainly benthic. However, the
carbon source, increased physical structure, and habitat complexity
(Le. increased habitat space, refuge, and food resources) provided by
marsh vegetation for meiofaunal organisms led us to explore the
possibility of meiofaunal habitats on S. alterniflora stems.
Preliminary sampling indicated higher meiofaunal abundances on
stems from a low marsh elevation and at the lower part of the two
stem sections considered (0-5 cm and 5-10 cm). Our study involved
transplanting S. alterniflora stems from high to low marsh elevation
and vice versa, which were then sampled regularly along with
control and natural, or undisturbed, stems over a 12-day period. Our
results confirmed preliminary data for natural stems, yet both
transplants and controls for the low stem position showed similar
abundances to the high marsh naturals, all of which were
significantly lower than those of the low marsh. Further study must
be done to correct for covariance and to isolate the exact cause of the
differences.
Description
viii, 36 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
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