Seagrass-Seaweed Synergy

The interaction between seagrass and macroalgae affects the growth and distribution of both photosynthetic communities. The Central Indian River Lagoon displays a wide variety of seagrass and macroalgae, both of which are in constant flux due to seasonal variations. The purpose of this study was to ascertain a relationship between seagrass and macroalgal communities along a latitudinal gradient in the Central Indian River Lagoon. It is predicted that there will be a positive relationship between seagrass and macroalgae; an increase in percent cover for seagrass will yield a conctment increase for
macroalgae. Our data do not support this claim, but rather the opposite; there is an inverse relationship between seagrass and macroalgae. We attribute this relationship partially to competition of attached algae and sea grass, but mostly to the hydrodynamic properties of the Indian River Lagoon which greatly affects the movement of drift algae in and around seagrass beds.