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Drift Macroalgal Abundance In Seagrass Beds: Investigating Large-Scale Associations With Physical And Biotic Attributes, Susan S. Bell, Margaret O. Hall

Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications

The relationship between a suite of physical and biological factors and drift macroalgal abundance was examined in 12 seagrass sites spanning a distance of over 50 km within Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Field sampling was conducted in December 1991, and drift algal abundance was determined by recording algal percent cover from 25 quadrants at each site. Additionally, drift macroalgae were collected from gridded plots and dry weight biomass measured. Sediment characteristics and seagrass biomass, shoot density, blade length and percent cover at each site were also determined. Likewise, position of site within Tampa Bay was categorized by spatial coordinates. Step-wise …