effects of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula and artificial shading on the seagrass Halodule wrightii

Author

• Kathryn A. Tiling

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

Extensive blooms of the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula occurred during 2006 in Halodule wrightii seagrass beds. We examined the effects of L. majuscula blooms on seagrass by removal treatments and assessed if this was primarily an effect of shading by conducting artificial shade treatments. We tested the effects of L. majuscula removal and artificial shading on fifty individual 0.25 m2 experimental seagrass plots infested with L. majuscula in a fully crossed, two-way experiment. Measurements included blade elongation, biomass, and stem density. Blade lengths of H. wrightii were significantly increased by the presence of artificial shading and L. majuscula. L. majuscula removal resulted in increased below ground biomass in shaded plots, suggesting an increase in stores, when possible, for accelerated recovery following a shading event. Adverse L. majuscula effects occurred after declines in bloom biomass indicating that L. majuscula can have a prolonged negative effect on H. wrightii production.

Comments

by Kathryn A. Tiling.

Recommended Citation

Tiling, Kathryn A., "effects of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula and artificial shading on the seagrass Halodule wrightii" (2007). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2003 - 2009. 61.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_1/61

Extent

v, 41 leaves : ill.

Identifier

314763484