Accumulation of beach cast biomass on coastal zones around Gotland is an increasing problem that reduce the recreational value of beaches and cause environmental degradation of coastal environments. Beach cast was once regularly harvested on Gotland, as it was considered a valued biofertilizer, but as it seized to be used in combination with the eutrophication of the Baltic sea, beach cast accumulation has increased in scale. The use of beach cast as a resource for bioenergy and agriculture does not only provide important services that can replace the use of greenhouse gases and finite resources but can also mitigate eutrophication and increase the quality of coastal zones as nutrients are retrieved from the water. Macroalgae and seaweeds are hyperaccumulators of heavy metals which pose a challenge for the utilization of beach cast as a fertilizer. Especially cadmium, a heavy metal that is harmful for human consumption, is strictly regulated and limits the amount of beach cast that can be used for agriculture. This thesis has analysed the potential benefit of beach cast harvesting and three potential utilization strategies of beach cast; fertilizer to food crops, fertilizer to fast growing energy forest (Salix) and biogas production with digestate utilization. The result indicate that all strategies are possible and viable utilization strategies under certain conditions. Because of the complex and site specific factors that affect beach cast utilization, adapting strategies depending on the conditions and needs of the local coastal zones is required. Cadmium uptake is affected by a range of factors that can be controlled so that beach cast can provide nutrients and improve soil structure without contaminating the soil. Especially promising is the prospect of fertilizing Salix with beach cast as the cadmium absorption and growth rate of Salix enables large amounts of beach cast to be spread without risk for it accumulating in the soil. The cadmium contained within the Salix can later be removed from the environment entirely as it is collected from the ash when Salix is converted to bioenergy. Recent studies also indicate that food crops can be safely fertilized with beach cast without cadmium being transferred if specific crops are chosen. Cadmium uptake to crops can also be limited if specific beach cast with low cadmium content are used and if the beach cast is pre-composted with other substrates. Both for Salix and food crops its instead legal restraints on cadmium spreading that limits the use of beach cast. When abiding by the set cadmium restrictions, beach cast can only marginally supply the macronutrient requirement of the average food crop on Gotland. Biogas production and digestate utilization from beach cast provides many environmental benefits as clean renewable energy is generated that can replace fossil fuels and the nutrients contained in the digestate can be spread on arable land. From the conducted energy balance of the system on Gotland it was found that beach cast has theoretically good conditions to ferment beach cast. However, beach cast isn’t practically viable on Gotland because the substrate can’t compete financially with other available substrates and it requires costly pre-treatments. Regardless of which beach cast utilization strategy chosen, harvesting is concluded to have a positive effect on mitigating coastal eutrophication and beach and water quality. Although it cannot on its own mitigate a net nutrient loading to coastal zones in Gotland, harvesting easily available beach cast can reduce the nutrient loading to coastal zones on Gotland with up to 27 % and 4,5 % phosphorus and nitrogen respectively.

Algal blooms have caused significant losses in seagrass and macroalgae in the Indian River Lagoon, FL. To gain an understanding of these effects, samples of Gracilaria sp., Halodule wrightii, pinfish, and white mullet were taken throughout October and November of 2013. Samples from 2001 of Gracilaria sp., Halodule wrightii, Syringodium filiforme, Thalassia testudinum, pinfish, spotted seatrout, and white mullet were also obtained. Stable isotope data were obtained from these samples and compared by year and species. Halodule wrightii and pinfish had a significantly larger 2013 [delta]C13 values. Halodule wrightii also displayed lower total %C and total %N averages for 2013 when compared to 2001 data. These results may indicate a link between Halodule wrightii and pinfish, with pinfish consuming organisms that use Halodule wrightii as their source of nutrients. The location of collections also seemed to play a role in stable isotope values, as indicated by samples of Halodule wrightii.

<p>Seasonal changes in reproduction, recruitment, occurrence and growth of marine plant and animal species is a common phenomenon world-wide. This thesis investigates whether such seasonal changes could determine the succession in subtidal phytobenthic communities on free space in the Baltic Sea. My results showed circular seasonal patterns both in the settlement of species and in the annual appearance of communities. The circular seasonal pattern was also observed in the succession. Initial species assemblages were determined by the time space became available for colonisation. Although the succession seemed to be directed towards one site-specific final community structure determined by physical factors, the time of the year when space became available influenced the rate of the succession through species interactions. Rapid growth and timing of settlement and free space occurrence allowed early species to occupy all available space and prevent further colonisation, thereby slowing the succession. My results also showed that both settlement and community structure are influenced by substrate characteristics. Studying community development on vertical artificial structures revealed communities with few species and different composition compared to communities on vertical natural substrates. A field study showed that settlement and community structure changed significantly between 60º and 90º substrate slopes. This thesis shows that some differences in the final community structure are determined already at the settlement stage and that the succession pattern varies depending on when free space occurs. However, small inter-annual and site-specific differences in seasonal settlement periods and site-specific final communities mainly determined by physical factors, suggest that succession patterns are relatively predictable. Seasonal changes seem to cause a spiralling succession towards a final, seasonally undulating, state.</p>

Tropical coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems of the world but facing increasing threats to their health. Over the last thirty years, many Caribbean coral reefs have undergone dramatic changes and experienced large losses in coral cover, due to direct and indirect anthropogenic disturbances. The results of which are reefs with low rugosity, changed trophic dynamics and low fish diversity. In recent times reefs have failed to recover from disturbances due to an increase in frequency and severity of disturbances and stresses. In the Caribbean on many coral reefs this has resulted in a shift towards macroalgal dominance by species of the phylum Phaeophyta. The processes and factors affecting the standing crop of macroalgae are many and complex. Two main hypotheses are identified in the literature as being the driving forces of algal dynamics: nutrient dynamics (availability, supply and uptake) and herbivory. However, many studies have been found to be inconclusive because of the complexity of the coral reef ecosystem, which makes it difficult if not impossible to control for all factors and processes influencing the standing crop of macroalgae such as light, water flow and sedimentation. The inherent characteristics of macroalgae, like morphology and life history, make them behave differently. Whilst herbivore characteristics, like size of mouth parts, feeding modes and preferences, will influence the amount of algal biomass removed. The spatial context (i.e. coral fore reef vs. back reef) will influence the effects of both bottom-up and top-down controls. Besides these inter-habitat differences, macroalgae within similar habitats but differing geographical locations may respond differently, for example, a forereef exposed to the open ocean or a forereef located in a sheltered bay. This thesis attempts to provide insight into the dynamics of two dominant brown macroalgae on Caribbean coral reefs, Dictyota spp. and Lobophora variegata. This aim was addressed by developing a model for the macroalga species Dictyota to model the various processes and factors on a coral forereef affecting percentage cover. Further, the patch dynamics of both Lobophora variegata and Dictyota were investigated to gain an insight into their dynamics under varying environmental conditions: the windward and leeward sides of an atoll. Finally, herbivory is identified as one of the key process affecting macroalgal cover. I investigated this process by deploying cages on both the windward and leeward side of the atoll to investigate the effects of grazing pressure under varying environmental conditions. A Bayesian Belief Network model was developed for Dictyota spp. to model the bottom-up and top-down processes on a coral forereef determining the percentage cover. The model was quantified using relationships identified in the scientific literature and from field data collected over a nine moth period in Belize. This is the first BBN model developed for brown macroalgae. The fully parameterized model identified areas of limited knowledge and because of its probabilistic nature it can explicitly communicate the uncertainties associated with the processes and interactions on standing crop. As such the model may be used as a framework for scientific research or monitoring programmes and it is expected that the model performance to predict macroalgal percentage cover will improve once new information becomes available. Size-based transition matrices were developed for both Dictyota spp. and Lobophora variegata to investigate the patch dynamics under varying environmental conditions: the windward and leeward sides of an atoll. The matrices reveal that standard measures of algal percent cover might provide a misleading insight into the underlying dynamics of the species. Modelling the patch dynamics with matrices provided insight into the temporal behaviour of macroalgae. This is an important process to understand because patch dynamics are determining competitive interactions with other coral reef benthic organisms. The outcome of competitive interactions will differ with macroalgal species. This study indicate that Dictyota spp. responded strongly to differing environmental conditions in that it has reduced growth rates and lower percent cover on the leeward side of the atoll, whilst Lobophora variegata showed far less sensitivity to environmental conditions. The patch dynamics of Dictyota spp. also showed a higher temporal variation than Lobophora variegata but only on the exposed forereef. A caging experiment was set up to investigate the response of both macroalgal species to different grazing pressure scenarios, under varying environmental conditions. Dictyota spp. had a significant response to environmental conditions in that a higher percentage cover was found on the exposed side of the atoll, whilst for Lobophora variegata the response was far less obvious. The less clear response of Lobophora variegata was very likely caused by competition of Dictyota with Lobophora due to the very high cover Dictyota obtained in the cages where all herbivores were excluded. The low grazing pressure treatments also showed an increase in cover of Dictyota, whilst for Lobophora, only a reduction in the rate of increase could be observed. The results indicate that on the leeward side of the atoll, fish grazing alone seems sufficient to control the standing crop of Dictyota and Lobophora variegata. Retrospective analysis of the experimental design showed that the limited size of the experimental set up could have confounded the results for Lobophora as well. In future experiments it is recommended to increase number replicates. Management of coral reef habitats is frequently constrained by a lack of funds and resources. The BBN Model once fully parameterized can provide a useful tool for coral reef management, because the model allows exploration of different reef scenario’s, which in turn can aid in prioritizing management strategies. Furthermore, the thesis provided an insight into the complexities of macroalgal dynamics. The responses of macroalgae to physiological factors and ecological processes are species specific and dependent on the location, and caution against generalizing on what controls the standing crop of macroalgae. Therefore it is argued that future investigations into algal ecology should clearly define the species, habitat and location. This can help to make informed management decisions.

The increasing demand for seaweed extracts has led to the introduction of non-native seaweeds for farming purposes in many tropical regions. Such intentional introductions can lead to spread of non-native seaweeds from farming areas, which can become established in and alter the dynamics of the recipient ecosystems. While tropical seaweeds are of great interest for aquaculture, and have received much attention as pests in the coral reef literature, little is known about the problems and potential of natural populations, or the role of natural seaweed beds in the tropical seascape. This thesis aims to investigate the spread of non-native genetic strains of the tropical macroalga Eucheuma denticulatum, which have been intentionally introduced for seaweed farming purposes in East Africa, and to evaluate the state of the genetically distinct but morphologically similar native populations. Additionally it aims to investigate the ecological role of seaweed beds in terms of the habitat utilization by fish and mobile invertebrate epifauna. The thesis also aims to evaluate the potential of native populations of eucheumoid seaweeds in regard to seaweed farming. The initial results showed that non-native E. denticulatum is the dominating form of wild eucheumoid, not only in areas in close proximity to seaweed farms, but also in areas where farming has never occurred, while native eucheumoids are now scarce (Paper I). The low frequency of native E. denticulatum in seaweed beds, coupled with a low occurrence of reproductive structures, indicates that the effective population size may be low, which in turn may be a threat under changing environmental conditions. These results, combined with indications that seaweeds may be declining in East Africa, illustrates the need for attaining a better understanding of the ecological role of tropical seaweed habitats. The studies on the faunal communities of seaweed beds showed that they are species rich habitats, with high abundances of juvenile fish and mobile epifauna (Paper II and III), strongly indicating that these habitats should be considered for future seascape studies and management actions. Productivity in East African seaweed farming is decreasing, and as the current cultivation is based on a single non-indigenous haplotype, a more diverse genetic base has been suggested as a means to achieve a more productive and sustainable seaweed farming. Although our results show that East African E. denticulatum has a lower growth rate than the currently used cultivar (Paper IV), the several native haplotypes that are present in wild populations illustrates that, though a demanding endeavour, there is potential for strain selection within native populations. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

This Ph.D. Thesis is focused on the effect of submerged vegetation on the structure of lake ecosystem and trophic relationships among fishes. Succession of submerged vegetation is a dynamic process and the vegetation community may change dramatically even during a year. Many environmental factors have impact on the succession of submerged vegetation and consequently the presence of the vegetation has substantial impact on the aquatic ecosystem. Nutrient level (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus) plays a key role in the succession of freshwater ecosystems. Further, herbivory significantly influences species composition and biomass of macrophytes and macroalgae. Herbivory of fish is a foraging strategy that is dependent on temperature. Foraging preferences of fish may suppress the palatable species. The rate of herbivory affects plant growth patterns and thus inpalatable species may be advantaged in the competition among plants. In aquatic ecosystems, herbivory is often performed by omnivorous species. The diet preferences of omnivorous fish differ among aquatic ecosystems and submerged vegetation can shape their trophic niches substantially.

As comunidades bentônicas concentram a maior parcela da biodiversidade marinha e constituem um elemento essencial da estrutura dos ecossistemas marinhos como um todo. São vários os fatores que influenciam na dinâmica bentônica, como interações competitivas, reprodução, aporte de nutrientes, temperatura, entre outros. Esses fatores regem o funcionamento da comunidade e alterações desses padrões, como pesca e poluição, podem induzir mudanças de fase. Ainda assim, é possível que mudanças de fase façam parte da dinâmica natural, a partir de fenômenos que agem em escalas de tempo maiores. Por esse motivo, torna-se bastante difícil indicar quais fatores podem suscitar mudanças lentas que culminem em diferenças importantes na estrutura das comunidades. Portanto, se fazem necessários estudos de variações temporais de longo prazo para melhor entendimento desses padrões naturais e das mudanças nesses padrões, que podem afetar o funcionamento e a resiliência do ecossistema. Esse tipo de estudo ainda é escasso para ilhas oceânicas brasileiras, sendo mais frequentes estudos de caracterização e de curto prazo. Dada a importância desse tipo de pesquisa, o presente trabalho é o primeiro para a comunidade bentônica recifal de uma série de estudos de longo prazo na ilha da Trindade, e integra o \"Programa de Pesquisas Ecológicas de Longa Duração das Comunidades Recifais das ilhas Oceânicas Brasileiras\" (PELD-ILOC), com objetivo central de analisar a dinâmica espaço-temporal da comunidade bentônica da ilha da Trindade e descrever sua composição entre os anos de 2013 e 2017. Para tal, foram demarcados quatro sítios em torno da ilha, com três transecções de 20 metros de comprimento em cada um, amostrando uma transecção por profundidade com 10 fotoquadrados em cada transecção. A cobertura bentônica foi avaliada por meio do software CPCe, com identificação dos organismos até o menor nível taxonômico possível, sendo posteriormente agrupados em grupos morfofuncionais. No geral, a comunidade bentônica da ilha da Trindade no período analisado foi dominada por macroalgas (Caulerpa sp., Canistrocarpus cervicornis e Jania sp.), turf e algas calcárias crostosas (Peyssonnelia sp.) e apresenta diferença significativa entre sítios e anos, porém não apresenta diferenças significativas entre as profundidades analisadas. Apesar do dinamismo natural dessas comunidades, foi possível observar diminuição da abundância de organismos bioconstrutores em 2016, que pode ter ocorrido devido ao El-Niño registrado no mesmo período. O ano de 2017 foi o que menos se assemelhou com os demais, apresentando aumento na riqueza, maior diversidade, maior relação entre sítios, grande crescimento na abundância de algas calcárias crostosas e mudança de dominância dentro do grupo de macroalgas, com a substituição da macroalga Caulerpa sp. pela macroalga calcária articulada Jania sp.. Para explicar essas alterações, assim como suas consequências, é necessária a continuação do presente monitoramento, incluindo novas abordagens e metodologias, integrando análises de variáveis físico-químicas e padronização nos estudos para possíveis comparações, o que ajudaria a compreender melhor o comportamento da comunidade bentônica insular oceânica brasileira no geral e responder questões que só podem ser elucidadas a longo prazo. / Benthic communities host a major fraction of the marine biodiversity, being an essential component in the structure of marine ecosystems. There are several factors that influence the benthic dynamics, such as competitive interactions, reproduction, nutrient, temperature, etc. These factors control the functioning of the community and changes in these patterns can induce phase shifts. Nevertheless, it is possible that phase shifts are part of the natural dynamics, from phenomena that act on larger time scales. So, it is very difficult to indicate which factors can lead to slow changes that affect the structure of communities. Therefore, studies of long-term temporal variations are needed to better understand changes in those patterns that may affect the functioning and resilience of the ecosystem. This kind of study is still scarce for Brazilian oceanic islands, with more frequent characterization and short-term assessments. Hence, the present work is the first one for the benthic reef community of a series of long-term studies in the Trindade Island, and integrates the \"Long-term Ecological Research Program of the Reef Communities of the Brazilian Oceanic Islands\" (in Portuguese Programa de Pesquisas Ecológicas de Longa Duração das Comunidades Recifais das Ilhas Oceânicas Brasileiras - PELD-ILOC). The present study describes and does a spatio-temporal analysis of the reef benthic community of Trindade Island, assessing the substrate cover dynamics of four sites from 2013 to 2017. Each site was sampled at three depth ranges, with three transects and ten photoquadrats in each transect. Benthic coverage was analyzed using the CPCe software, with organisms identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, and later grouped into morphofunctional groups. In general, the benthic community of Trindade Island during the analyzed period was dominated by macroalgae (Caulerpa sp., Canistrocarpus cervicornis and Jania sp.), turf and crustose coralline algae (Peyssonnelia sp.) The results showed significant changes among sites and years, however did not show significant changes among depths. Despite the natural dynamism of these communities, it was possible to observe a decrease in the abundance of bioconstructors in the 2016 expedition, which may have occurred because to El-Niño during the same period. The year 2017 was the most different when compared to others years, with an increase in species richness, but also greater diversity, greater similarity among sites, and a pronounced growth in the abundance of crustose coralline algae. In the same year a change in the dominant species was also observed, with the substitution of the macroalgae Caulerpa sp. by the articulated coralline algae Jania sp.. It is important to continue the present monitoring in order to determine the main causes and consequences of these structural changes, including new approaches and methodologies, integrating abiotic variables and standardization in the studies for possible future comparisons, which would help to better understand the behavior of the Brazilian insular benthic oceanic community in general and answer questions that can only be elucidated in the long term.

Macroalgas têm sido descritas no Brasil desde a região entremarés até cerca de 120 metros de profundidade na plataforma continental. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a caracterização da flora marinha bêntica em bancos de rodolitos entre 20-30 metros de profundidade, do infralitoral sul do estado do Espírito Santo. Os métodos utilizados neste projeto incluíram a coleta meticulosa de material através de mergulho autônomo, que preserva o material mais frágil em contraste com a utilização de dragagem. Estudos no infralitoral do estado do Espírito Santo são muito escassos. Esta flora é conhecida principalmente pela análise de material arribado nas praias e proveniente de algumas dragagens e mergulhos. Este trabalho procura contribuir para o inventário da flora de algas marinhas brasileiras, assim como contribuir para o conhecimento da biodiversidade de macroalgas enfocando especialmente a flora do infralitoral através de um estudo sistemático, descrevendo e ilustrando os aspectos mais importantes das espécies encontradas. Foram identificados 138 táxons de algas marinhas, sendo 77,5% (107 táxons) representantes do Filo Rhodophyta, 11,6% (16 táxons) representantes do Filo Chlorophyta e 10,9% (15 táxons) representantes da Classe Phaeophyceae. Observou-se também que a riqueza de espécies de macroalgas no inverno decresce acentuadamente em relação ao período de verão. Esta redução na riqueza de espécies pode ser explicada pela instabilidade gerada nos bancos de rodolitos no período de inverno, pela maior frequência de tempestades. Dois gêneros são referidos pela primeira vez para o Atlântico ocidental, Tsengia K. C.Fan & Y.P. Fan (Halymeniales/Rhodophyta) e Pugetia Kylin (Gigartinales/Rhodophyta). Foram registradas duas novas ocorrências para a flora marinha brasileira, Erythrocladia endophloea M.A. Howe e uma espécie ainda não identificada de Pseudobryopsis Berthold. Dezesseis novas ocorrências foram registradas para o estado do Espírito Santo: Acrochaetium liagorae Børgesen, Anotrichium yagii (Okamura) Baldock, Caulerpa brachypus Harvey, Ceramium affine Setchell & N.L.Gardner, Chondria dasyphylla (Woodward) C. Agardh, Dasya caraibica M.A. Howe, Dasya rigidula (Kützing) Ardissone, Derbesia vaucheriaeformis (Harvey) J. Agardh, Erythrocladia pinnata W.R. Taylor, Gracilaria blodgettii Harvey, Griffithsia globulifera Harvey ex Kützing, Nitophyllum cf. punctatum (Stackhouse) Greville, Rhipiliopsis stri (S. Earle & J.R. Young) Farghaly & Denizot, Streblonema invisibile Hoyt, Udotea unistratea D.S. Littler & M.M. Littler e Yuzurua poiteaui (J.V. Lamouroux) Martin-Lescanne var. gemmifera (Harvey) Sentíes, M.T. Fujii & Díaz-Larrea. Para Platoma cyclocolpum (Montagne) F. Schmitz, Platoma sp. e Dudresnaya sp., espécies de rara ocorrência na costa brasileira, são fornecidas informações sobre estruturas reprodutivas e estádios de pós-fertilização. Estas novas adições na flora indicam a importância da realização de pesquisas em áreas pouco estudadas da costa brasileira. O infralitoral ainda representa uma lacuna no conhecimento das algas e outros organismos marinhos. Estudos que utilizam mergulho autônomo geralmente fornecem novidades para a comunidade científica, principalmente no que diz respeito às espécies frágeis que não resistem aos métodos de dragagem. / In Brazil, macroalgae have been reported from the intertidal to about 120 meters depth on the continental shelf. The aim of this study was to characterize the marine benthic flora in banks of rhodoliths between 20-30 meters depth, in the subtidal zone of southern Espirito Santo state. The methods utilized in this project included a careful collection of material through SCUBA diving, which preserves the more fragile material in contrast to the use of dredging. Studies on the sublittoral flora of the state of Espirito Santo are very scarce. This flora has been studied mainly through material casted ashore on the beaches and through some material from dredging and diving. This study seeks to contribute to the inventory of the Brazilian marine algae flora and also contribute to the knowledge of the biodiversity of the algae, focusing on sublittoral flora, by a systematic study, through descriptions and illustrations of the most important characteristics of sampled species. This research resulted in the identification of 138 taxons of marine algae being 77,5% (107 taxons) Rhodophyta, 11,6% (16 taxons) Chlorophyta and 10,9% (15 taxons) Phaeophyceae. It was also observed that macroalgae species richness decreases sharply during winter season, in comparison to summer period. This reduction in species richness could be attributed to the instability generated in the rhodoliths banks during winter, by the increasing of storm conditions. In this work we recorded two new genera for the tropical Western Atlantic, Tsengia K. C.Fan & Y.P. Fan (Halymeniales/Rhodophyta) and Pugetia Kylin (Gigartinales/Rhodophyta), and two new records for the Brazilian marine flora: Erythrocladia endophloea M.A. Howe and a species of Pseudobryopsis Berthold not yet identified. Sixteen new occurences were also registered for the state of Espírito Santo: Acrochaetium liagorae Børgesen, Anotrichium yagii (Okamura) Baldock, Caulerpa brachypus Harvey, Ceramium affine Setchell & N.L.Gardner, Chondria dasyphylla (Woodward) C. Agardh, Dasya caraibica M.A. Howe, Dasya rigidula (Kützing) Ardissone, Derbesia vaucheriaeformis (Harvey) J. Agardh, Erythrocladia pinnata W.R. Taylor, Gracilaria blodgettii Harvey, Griffithsia globulifera Harvey ex Kützing, Nitophyllum cf. punctatum(Stackhouse) Greville, Rhipiliopsis stri (S. Earle & J.R. Young) Farghaly & Denizot, Streblonema invisibile Hoyt, Udotea unistratea D.S. Littler & M.M. Littler and Yuzurua poiteaui (J.V. Lamouroux) Martin-Lescanne var. gemmifera (Harvey) Sentíes, M.T. Fujii & Díaz-Larrea. There were provided informations about reproductive structures and stages of postfertilization from Platoma cyclocolpum (Montagne) F. Schmitz, Platoma sp. and Dudresnaya sp., species that occur rarely in Brazilian coast. These new additions to the flora indicate the importance of conducting research in less studied areas of the Brazilian coast. The subtidal zone still represents a gap in the knowledge of the algae and other marine organisms. Studies using SCUBA diving often yields new references especially regarding fragile species that can not resist to the dredging method.

Une étude des facteurs influençant la composition et la répartition spatiale des abondances algales dans les communautés récifales des Antilles françaises et plus spécifiquement de Guadeloupe a été réalisée. Le rôle joué par les oursins diadème est plus particulièrement étudié. Les principaux compartiments des communautés récifales et les facteurs d'influence susceptibles de jouer un rôle dans la régulation du compartiment algal ont été dimensionnés sur 22 stations des Antilles françaises. Pour cela plusieurs indicateurs ont été testés. Après une description de chaque compartiment biotique (algues, herbivores, prédateurs), une recherche des facteurs influençant les caractéristiques du compartiment algal a été menée à trois échelles spatiales, à l'aide d'analyses statistiques non paramétriques, notamment des analyses canoniques des redondances et des correspondances. Puis, une recherche des facteurs influençant la répartition des oursins diadème a été également menée. Si les deux guildes d'herbivores étudiées (poissons et oursins diadème) ont un impact significatif sur l'abondance de gazon algal, seuls les poissons herbivores ont la capacité d'exercer cette influence à l'échelle des récifs de Guadeloupe et cette influence ne s'étend pas aux autres catégories algales. Notamment les phéophycées. A l'échelle de l'ensemble des îles étudiées, les analyses effectuées n'ont pas permis de mettre en évidence l'influence des herbivores sur la régulation des abondances algales. Les oursins diadèmes sont en faible densité dans les iles antillaises étudiées. Plusieurs facteurs susceptibles de participer à leur répartition en taille et en abondance sont identifiés. / A study of factors influencing the composition and spatial distribution of algal abundance in the French Caribbean reef communities and more specifically in Guadeloupe was conducted. The role of diadema sea urchins was particularly studied. For that, 22 stations in the French Antilles were selected and several indicators tested. After a description of each biotic compartment (algae, herbivore, predators), a search for factors influencing the characteristics of the algal compartment was conducted at three spatial scale, using non-parametric statistical analyses, including canonical correspondence analyses (cca) and redundancy analyses (rda). Then a search for the factors influencing the distribution of diadema sea urchins was also conducted. If the two guilds of herbivores (diadema sea urchin and fish) have a significant impact on the abundance of algal turf, only herbivorous fish was found to have an influence in the reefs of Guadeloupe and that influence was not observed on other algal groups, including phaeophyceae. At the scale of all the islands, the analyses did not enable to show the influence of herbivores in the regulation of algal abundance. The density of sea urchins was found to be low in the studied sites. Several factors likely to influence their distribution in size and their abundance were identified.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-06-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:41:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 krupek_ra_dr_rcla.pdf: 699780 bytes, checksum: a064995df1e9361f54c1d222e4471c1a (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal analisar a influência da heterogeneidade espaçotemporal, em diferentes escalas, sobre a distribuição de comunidades de macroalgas em uma área localizada na região centro-sul do estado do Paraná. Para ambos os estudos (espacial e temporal) seguiram-se os mesmos procedimentos amostrais. As escalas espaciais avaliadas foram: bacia de drenagem (Rio das Pedras e Rio Marrecas), mesohábitat (remanso e corredeira) e microhábitat (unidades amostrais com área de 0,05 m2), além dos níveis de sombreamento (aberto e sombreado). As amostragens foram realizadas em locais que apresentavam visível crescimento de algas. Um número igual de unidades amostrais “sem alga” também foi aleatoriamente avaliado. Dentro de cada unidade amostral foram avaliados os parâmetros bióticos (riqueza e abundância de espécies) e as variáveis ambientais locais (irradiância, velocidade da correnteza, profundidade, riqueza e diversidade do substrato). Em adição, para cada riacho, foram tomadas medidas das seguintes variáveis ambientais regionais: temperatura da água, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade, pH e turbidez. No estudo espacial, um total de dez riachos foram avaliados por bacia de drenagem, sendo identificados 29 táxons. As diferenças entre as escalas espaciais estiveram muito mais relacionadas com características particulares de cada grupo (divisão e tipo morfológico) do que propriamente com a composição das espécies. A única distinção observada na estrutura das comunidades esteve relacionada com os diferentes níveis de sombreamento, o que evidencia a importância do regime de luz como fator determinante na distribuição espacial destes organismos. Em adição, a velocidade da correnteza também foi importante neste aspecto, já que maior desenvolvimento algal foi observada nestes ambientes. Em síntese, as características locais... / This study aimed to analyze the influence of spatial and temporal heterogeneity at different scales, the distribution of macroalgal communities in an area located in the mid-southern of Parana state. For both studies (spatial and temporal) followed the same sampling procediments. The spatial scales evaluated were: drainage basin (Pedras river and Marrecas river), mesohabitat (riffles and pools) and microhabitat (sampling units an area of 0,05 m2), beyond to shading levels (open and shaded). The sampling units were positioned in places that hat visible growth of algae. A same number of sample units “without algae” also were randomly evaluated. Within each sampling unit were evaluated biotic parameters (richness and abundance of species) and the local variables (irradiance, current velocity, depth, richness and diversity of substrate). In addition, for each stream were taken of the following regional variables: water temperature, oxygen saturation, specific conductance, pH and turbidity. In the spatial study, a total of ten streams were evaluated by drainage basin, being identified 29 taxa. The differences between the spatial scales were more related to particular characteristics of each group (division and morphological type) than properly with the species composition. The only difference observed in community structure was related to the different levels of shading, which shows the importance of light as a determining factor in the spatial distribution of these organisms. In addition, the current velocity was also important in this aspect, as greater algal development was observed in these environments. In summary, the local characteristics had the greatest influence that the regional variables in the spatial distribution of macroalgal communities evaluated. For the temporal study, one stream was monthly evaluated in each drainage basin. A total of 16 taxa were identified. Although... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)