%0 Journal Article 
%A Jiménez Ramos, Rocío
%A Henares, Carmen
%A Egea Tinoco, Luis Gonzalo
%A Vergara Oñate, Juan José
%A Brun Murillo, Fernando Guillermo
%T Leaf Senescence of the Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in Cádiz Bay, Southern Spain
%D 2023
%@ 1424-2818
%U http://hdl.handle.net/10498/31594
%X Leaf decay in seagrasses is enhanced in some seasons since large green senescent beach-cast seagrass leaves are frequently recorded during autumn and winter seasons. Here, we explore if senescence is operating in seagrass leaf decay or if hydrodynamic stress is responsible for the seasonal leaf abscission. A seasonal study on the temperate seagrass Cymodocea nodosa was carried out in four locations with contrasting hydrodynamic regimes. The morphological, biomechanical and material properties of C. nodosa were measured. The force required to break the ligule was always lower than that required to break the blade. This could be considered an adaptive strategy to reduce acute drag forces and thus lessen the chance of plant uprooting. The absolute force needed to dislodge the blade at the ligule level varied with season and location, with the lowest forces recorded in autumn. This may indicate that senescence is operating in this species. On the other hand, the minimum estimated failure velocities for leaf abscission were also recorded in autumn. Consequently, this may cause the premature shedding of leaves in this season before the senescence process has finished and can probably explain the occurrence of green beach-cast seagrass leaves usually found during autumn and winter.
%K biomechanics
%K breaking strength
%K Cymodocea nodosa
%K drag forces
%K leaf abscission
%K nutrient recycling
%K seagrass
%~ Universidad de Cádiz