Changes in macrophytes distribution in a hypersaline coastal lagoon associated with the development of intensively irrigated agriculture

In the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain) recent changes in the nearby agricultural practices, from extensive dry crop farming to intensively irrigated crops, have increased nutrient and particulate inputs through the principal watercourse that flows into the lagoon, the Albujon wadi. The concentration of nutrients and suspended sediments in the waters has risen, increasing phytoplankton densities and diminishing water column transparency. As a result of these environmental changes, the traditional main macrophyte of the Mar Menor, Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Ascherson, has been replaced by the macroalga Caulerpa prolifera (Forsskal) Lamouroux creating changes in the sediment characteristics with profound consequences to benthic communities and also to local fishing and tourism. In the study area, seagrass respiration exceeded photosynthesis while the macroalga presented positive rates of net photosynthesis. C prolifera is better adapted to these new conditions of light and nutrient concentration and has expanded its distribution, occupying most of the bottom of the lagoon and restricting C nodosa to small patches in very shallow areas, where plant growth is not limited by light and no C prolifera can be found because of photoinhibition and emersion stress. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Lloret J. Marin A. Marin-Guirao L. y Velasco J. Changes in macrophytes distribution in a hypersaline coastal lagoon associated with the development of intensively irrigated agriculture. Elsevier B.V., 2005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2005.07.002

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Tipo de recurso Artículo
Fecha de creación 05-11-2024
Fecha de última modificación 19-01-2025
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Identificador de los metadatos af00fc54-346f-5448-af73-6a7644ea5a78
Idioma de los metadatos Español
Temáticas (NTI-RISP)
Categoría del conjunto de alto valor (HVD) Observación de la Tierra y medio ambiente
Categoría temática ISO 19115
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Nombre del autor Lloret, J., Marin, A., Marin-Guirao, L. y Velasco, J
Nombre del editor Elsevier B.V.
Identificador alternativo DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2005.07.002
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Email del autor jlloret@um.es
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