A functional-structural model of ephemeral seagrass growth influenced by environment.

ABSTRACT: Background and Aims:Ephemeral seagrasses that respond rapidly to environmental changes are important marine habitats. However, they are under threat due to human activity and are logistically difficult and expensive to study. This study aimed to develop a new functional-structural environmentally dependent model of ephemeral seagrass, able to integrate our understanding of ephemeral seagrass growth dynamics and assess options for potential management interventions, such as seagrass transplantation. Methods:A functional-structural plant model was developed in which growth and senescence rates are mechanistically linked to environmental variables. The model was parameterized and validated for a population of Halophila stipulacea in the Persian Gulf. Key Results:There was a good match between

SUBMITTER: Whitehead S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5906912 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature