Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2001
Abstract
We compared estimates of Halodule wrightii leaf growth rates obtained from leaf-clipping and leaf-piercing methods in a south Texas lagoon. Leaf clipping underestimated leaf production from 15 to 37% in winter and 25 to 60% in summer relative to leaf piercing. The underestimation of leaf-clipping derived growth rates were corrected using a linear regression between leaf growth rates determined by leaf-clipping and leaf-piercing methods. To examine the effect of clip height on H. wrightii leaf growth rate estimation, leaves were clipped at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm above the sediment. Leaves clipped at 2 cm exhibited the fastest leaf growth rate (average = 3.66 mm d–1) while leaves clipped at 8 cm had the slowest rate (average = 2.30 mm d–1). Depressed leaf growth rates for 8 cm clip height were likely due to the slowing of growth rate with increasing leaf age. Reduced growth rate for the 0 cm clip height treatment may be attributable to removal of nearly all photosynthetic tissue and limited below-ground resources. In design of leaf-clipping studies, it is suggested that the selection of clip height and the period of growth after clipping be optimized for each season of a study.
Recommended Citation
Kowalski, J. L., DeYoe, H. R., Allison, T. C., & Kaldy, J. E. (2001). Productivity estimation in Halodule wrightii Aschers: Comparison of leaf-clipping and leaf-marking techniques and the importance of clip height. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 220, 131–136. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps220131
Publication Title
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
DOI
10.3354/meps220131
Comments
© Inter-Research 2001