Abstract. The gorgonian Lophogorgia ceratophyta thrives in turbid water at Tinetto Rock, La Spezia Gulf, Ligurian Sea. Its age structure suggests that the population is in a steady state; nevertheless, it is difficult to discern whether the main factors controlling this population are biological or event‐related. Secondary production was estimated by means of an increment‐summation method and yielded 0.54 g ash‐free dry weight (AFDW)*m‐1 a‐1. This estimate does not take into account biomass losses due to reproductive output and non‐lethal predation. Standing stock biomass was 5.44 g AFDW e m‐2. The annual P/B ratio was 0.10 and turnover time about 10a Copyright © 1995, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved
Population Structure and Secondary Production of the Mediterranean Octocoral Lophogorgia ceratophyta (L. 1758)
MISTRI, Michele
1995
Abstract
Abstract. The gorgonian Lophogorgia ceratophyta thrives in turbid water at Tinetto Rock, La Spezia Gulf, Ligurian Sea. Its age structure suggests that the population is in a steady state; nevertheless, it is difficult to discern whether the main factors controlling this population are biological or event‐related. Secondary production was estimated by means of an increment‐summation method and yielded 0.54 g ash‐free dry weight (AFDW)*m‐1 a‐1. This estimate does not take into account biomass losses due to reproductive output and non‐lethal predation. Standing stock biomass was 5.44 g AFDW e m‐2. The annual P/B ratio was 0.10 and turnover time about 10a Copyright © 1995, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reservedI documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
