title: Impacts of macroalgal spores on the dynamics of adult macroalgae in a eutrophic estuary: high versus low hydrodynamic seasons and long-term simulations for global warming scenarios.
abstract: A model describing macroalgal early life stages and adult dynamics was used to quantify the effects of non-adult forms on the productivity of adult macroalgae in a eutrophic estuary. Predictions indicate that during years with mild winters and low rainfall, spring blooms will occur at the expense of the growth and reproduction of overwintering adults and without the contribution of the spore bank. In these circumstances, there is a positive correlation between the intensity of the blooms and the biomass of overwintering adults until a maximum threshold value. On the contrary, in years with high rainfall and low or inexistent biomass of overwintering adults, the onset of adult's growth depends on the biomass of viable dormant spores, the growing season occurs later and adult productivity is very limited. Long-term predictions for climate change scenarios suggest that, in general, global warming will have adverse affects on Ulva intestinalis productivity, with the adults being more affected than the early life stages.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine Research, Coimbra Interdisciplinary Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal. imartins@ci.uc.pt
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Aránzazu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcotegui
authors.forename: João Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Marques
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005068:Eutrophication; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011891:Rain; D012098:Reproduction; D054712:Salinity; D012621:Seasons; D013170:Spores / Q000254:growth & development; D013696:Temperature; D044445:Ulva / Q000502:physiology*