Assesment of the combined effects of reduced light and elevated temperature on the seagrass "Phyllospadix torreyi" (surfgrass) : ecophysiological responses and growth

Abstract

The present work is focused on the ecophysiology of surfgrass of northwest pacific coasts, Phyllospadix torreyi, grown under stress at two different temperatures (25ºC and 16ºC) and light irradiances (200 μmol photons m-2 s-1 and 30 μmol photons m-2 s-1) simulating the limits which P. torreyi may suffer on the environment. Both parameters affect physiological characteristics of the seagrass and metabolism adaptations to survive were observed. Different methodologies were used to determine the different adaptation strategies of P. torreyi. High temperatures had apparent positive effects on photosynthetic capabilities of the plant, but subsaturating light limited the development of P. torreyi, who used another energy source to thrive.