Halimeda composition and biomass along the Great Barrier Reef

Brief description

Inter-reefal Halimeda communities from the far north to southern sections of the Great Barrier Reef were sampled: 1013 Van Veen grab samples from 281 stations, and 76 biomass samples collected by scuba divers from 12 stations. Halimeda, Udotea and Penicillus plants were air-dried, sorted into species, oven-dried and weighed. Organic content was calculated from weight loss after overnight combustion in a muffle furnace. \n \nHalimeda communities were differentiated as meadow, mound, and shoal. Species compostion variables were: location, % (of calcareous green algae); where found (within/outside meadows); other plant macrobiota was also recorded. \n \nVariables on biomass were: station location and number of samples; means of collection (grab, diver); area (m2); depth (shallow, <50 m; deep).\n To describe the inter-reefal Halimeda communities.\n Halimeda species: H. copiosa, H. cylindracea, H. discoidea, H. distorta, H. fragilis, H. gigas, H. gracilis, H. hederacea, H. incrassata, H. lacunalis, H. macroloba, H. macrophysa, H. melanesica, H. micronesica, H. minima, H. opuntia, H. taenicola, H. tuna. \n \nOther algal species: Caulerpa brachypus, C. cupressoides, C. Mexicana, C. peltata, C. racemosa; Chaetomorpha spp.; Halophila decipiens, H. ovalis, H. spinulosa; Lobophora variegata; Monostroma spp.; Penicillus nodulosus; Struvea elegans; Tydemania expeditionis; Udotea flabellum, U. argentum; Vidalia spp. \n \nLocations: Far North section (Blackwood Channel, Creech Reef, Great Detached Reef, Hibernia Entrance, Pandora Reef, Quoin Island Entrance, Second 3-mile Opening, Waterwitch Entrance); Northern section (Lizard Island, Ribbon Reefs); Central section (Bowl Reef); Southern section (Swains reefs). \n \nComplements a study of Halimeda on reefs across the central Great Barrier Reef, see separate metadata record.\n

Lineage

Statement: The mean diver-collected biomass was often higher as collection locations were made where grabs indicated the presence of Hlaimeda meadows. \n \nIn the northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef, no Halimeda was found below 48m. \n \nHalimeda taxonomy is based on that of Hills-Collinvaux (1980) with the exception of H. hederacea which has been resurrected and differentiated from both H. copiosa and H. opuntia. \n \nHills-Collinvaux L (1980) Ecology and taxonomy of Halimeda, primary producer of coral reefs. Adv Mar Biol 17: 1-327. \n

Notes

Credit
Drew, Edward A, Dr (Principal Investigator)