Light as a limiting factor for epilithic algae in the supralittoral zone of littoral caves

In a littoral cave system, abiotic environmental properties, such as the intensity and spectral distribution of light, often change going from the exterior to the interior part of the cave, filtering the light and thus creating a deep-sea irradiance setting for marine flora. In this mini-review, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in Marine Science
Main Authors: Danielle eMayer, Zvy eDubinsky, David eIluz
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2016
Subjects:
Photosynthesis
light spectrum
Supralittoral zone
Calcifying algae
mesophotic algae
Science
Q
General. Including nature conservation
geographical distribution
QH1-199.5
Ocean acidification
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2016.00018
https://doaj.org/article/cd36553a4a2f4766b7844007c6522cb1
Description
Summary:In a littoral cave system, abiotic environmental properties, such as the intensity and spectral distribution of light, often change going from the exterior to the interior part of the cave, filtering the light and thus creating a deep-sea irradiance setting for marine flora. In this mini-review, we suggest that the supralittoral zone in littoral caves might provide a sanctuary for mesophotic calcifying algae. These abiotic conditions offered an opportunity for normally deep-water mesophotic species to expand their range due to their competitive advantage over shallow, open-water species. Supralittoral calcifying algae are significant for marine biodiversity but are likely to be damaged in the future by ocean acidification. We have summarized important abiotic factors regarding algae settlement and succession processes in the supralittoral zone of littoral caves, including their photosynthetic pigments and habitat requirements. We describe their zonation according to irradiance, and review previous research on epilithic alga¬¬l assemblages in littoral caves. Although we found a great deal of information on the algae of sea caves and littoral caves, no such information was published on the algae of the supralittoral zone of these caves. Nevertheless, some of the studies cited in this review have already set a good conceptual and methodological basis for the ecological research of the supralittoral algal flora of littoral caves.

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