Assessing Tolerance to the Hydrodynamic Exposure of Posidonia oceanica Seedlings Anchored to Rocky Substrates

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2021.788448
• Publication Date: 2022-01-06T06:35:37Z
• Authors: Arturo Zenone; Fabio Badalamenti; Adriana Alagna; Stanislav N. Gorb; Eduardo Infantes
• Keywords: Propagule; Posidonia oceanica

Among a suite of abiotic and biotic factors, the hydrodynamic regime strongly influences success seagrass recruitment through sexual propagules. Uprooting propagules by drag forces exerted currents waves is one main causes for failed establishment consequent recruitment. Substrate type stability play key role in determining colonization propagules, as seedling probabilities proved to be significantly higher on rocky bottoms than unstable unconsolidated substrates. In this research, current wave flow intensity that Posidonia oceanica seedlings anchored substrates can withstand before uprooting were evaluated influence substrate complexity anchorage strength was investigated. P. withstood velocity 70 cm s –1 increased orbital velocities up 25 . Seedling adhesion ranged from 3.92 29.42 N. Results present study corroborate hypothesis at scales relevant size crucial feature establishment. The unidirectional oscillatory without being dislodged assessed support once adhered consolidated substrate, are able tolerate high stress. results contribute re-evaluation habitat requirements , assessing range conditions species during early stages its life history.