The Role of Benthic Algae in the Shallow Reef of Curaco (Netherlands Antilles) I: Primary Productivity in the Coral Reef

Wanders, J.B.

In order to make an accurate estimate of the primary productivity of the shallow reef (0.5-3 m deep, c. 25m wide) along the south-west coast of Curar;ao, oxygen production and consumption of the non-endosymbiotic algae and the abundance of the various community components (including corals) were measured. Oxygen production and consumption were measured using the light-and-dark-bottle technique. Expressed per substrate surface area, midday gross productivity of the investigated crustose coralline algae (Porolithon pachydermum (Fosl.) Fosl., Lithophyllum sp. 3, Lithophyllum intermedium Fosl., Lithophyllum sp. 4 and Neogoniolithon solubile (Fosl. et Howe) Setch. & Mason) ranges from 0.023-0.043 mg 0 2 /cm2/h, and midday net productivity from 0.015-0.034 mg 0 2/cm2/h. Productivity of a "sparse vegetation" of fleshy and filamentous algae (Calothrix crustacea (Thur.) Born. et Flah., Lyngbya majuscula [(Dillw.) Harv.] Gom., Trichosolen sp., Giffordia duchassaingiana (Griin.) Taylor) growing in and on limestone was within the range of the crustose coralline productivity, but productivity of a "dense vegetation" (Sphacelaria tribuloides Menegh., Herposiphonia tenella (C. Ag.) Ambr., Polysiphonia subtilissima Mont., Pterocladia americana Taylor, Taenioma nanum Klitz., Wurdemannia miniata (Drap.) Feldm. & Hamel) was about twice as high. Net productivity of the "dense vegetation" (0.064 mg 0 2/cm2/h) was about as high as that of corals.

The Role of Benthic Algae in the Shallow Reef of Curaco (Netherlands Antilles) I: Primary Productivity in the Coral Reef

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