Functional ecological traits in young and adult thalli of canopy-forming brown macroalga Gongolaria barbata (Phaeophyta) from a transitional water system.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gongolaria barbata is a canopy-forming brown macroalga that thrives in the intertidal and subtidal habitats of the warm-temperate Mediterranean Sea, which is particularly exposed to environmental changes due to its peculiar geographical location and exposure to both global and local stressors. Testing whether this species is featured by specific functional, eco-physiological and biochemical traits allowing an efficient use of habitat resources and adaptation to environmental stress, and whether this potential might change with population growth, is essential for predicting the performance of the algae under different environmental abiotic variables (e.g., temperature, nutrient availability, light) and biotic interactions (such as grazing).

Methods

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SUBMITTER: Pica ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11402337 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature