RT journal article
T1 Leaf Senescence of the Seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in Cádiz Bay, Southern Spain
A1 Jiménez Ramos, Rocío
A1 Henares, Carmen
A1 Egea Tinoco, Luis Gonzalo
A1 Vergara Oñate, Juan José
A1 Brun Murillo, Fernando Guillermo
A2 Biología
K1 biomechanics
K1 breaking strength
K1 Cymodocea nodosa
K1 drag forces
K1 leaf abscission
K1 nutrient recycling
K1 seagrass
AB 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.
PB MDPI
SN 1424-2818
YR 2023
FD 2023-01-29
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/31594
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/31594
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 09-nov-2026