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Carbon Flow and Nutrient Regeneration from the Decomposition of Macrophyte Debris in a Sandy Beach Microcosm

  • Conference paper
Sandy Beaches as Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 19))

Abstract

Recent studies on the extensive kelp beds of the west coast of South Africa have provided a good deal of information on the standing stocks (Velimirov et al., 1977; Field et al., 1980), primary production (Field et al., 1977; Dieckmann, 1978, 1980; Mann et al., 1979; Brown, 1980, 1981; Borchers, Field, 1981; Jarman, Carter, 1981; Carter, 1982; for review see Newell et al., 1982) and the ecological energetics of the consumer organisms in this system (Greenwood, 1977, 1980; Fitzgerald, 1979; Griffiths, King, 1979a b; Shafir, Field, 1980a, b; Pollack, 1981). Much of the primary production of the two dominant phaeophytes Laminaria pallida and Ecklonia maxima enters the water column after fragmentation and is utilised by filter feeders which dominate the system (Field et al., 1977, 1980). Newell et al. (1982) have, however, pointed out that about 6% of the annual seaweed primary production is broken free in storms and is exported either to nearby beaches or fragments in situ in the swash zone much as has been reported from other parts of the world (e.g. Hayes, 1974).

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Author notes

  1. K. Koop

    Present address: School of Biological Sciences (A12), University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa

    K. Koop & M. I. Lucas

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  1. K. Koop
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  2. M. I. Lucas
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa

    Anton McLachlan  & Theuns Erasmus  & 

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Koop, K., Lucas, M.I. (1983). Carbon Flow and Nutrient Regeneration from the Decomposition of Macrophyte Debris in a Sandy Beach Microcosm. In: McLachlan, A., Erasmus, T. (eds) Sandy Beaches as Ecosystems. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2938-3_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2938-3_18

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