Capacity of a temperate intertidal seagrass species to tolerate changing environmental conditions: Significance of light and tidal exposure

Abstract

Seagrass meadows perform several important ecological roles in coastal areas. However, with multiple stressors threatening these aquatic plants, their current rate of decline is likely to increase, so understanding their ability to acclimate to a range of environments may be key to their survival. Light availability is critical for seagrass health, with loss of water clarity likely to cause decline. This study assessed the ability of the temperate intertidal species, Zostera muelleri, to compensate for variations in light in its natural environment. The impacts of light during inundation (high tide) and exposure (low tide) were examined along a vertical gradient from the high to low intertid..