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Ecology of salt-marsh algae in the Netherlands

A Review

  • Chapter
Vegetation between land and sea

Part of the book series: Geobotany ((GEOB,volume 11))

Abstract

A review is given of the ecology of salt-marsh algae in the Netherlands, containing many hitherto unpublished data. Interest in salt-marsh algae started during 1950–1960 and showed a vigorous revival in the period 1966–1980. Floristic and taxonomic descriptions of a number of component algal species were published (Vaucheria, Enteromorpha, Ulothrix, Rhizoclonium, Sphacelaria). The algal vegetation was analysed using semi-quantitative methods in permanent sample plots, in relation to environmental factors. In the SW-Netherlands the vegetation of higher plants is used as a descriptive framework for the distribution of the algae. The algal vegetation in the marsh is characterized by many ephemeral species with low constancy in time. Among the approximately 100 benthic algal species identified, only 11 species or species groups, both dominant and frequently occurring, may be distinguished: Fucus vesiculosus f. volubilis, Bostrychia scorpioides, Vaucheria species, Ulothrix species, Blidingia minima, Enteromorpha species, Percursaria percursa, Rhizoclonium riparium, filamentous blue-green algae, Nostoc species and benthic Haptophyceae. Dominant salt-marsh algae show many adaptations to extreme environmental factors, such as high salinity, desiccation, frost and grazing by cattle.

In the Waddensea a formal, hierarchical classification system of algal vegetation was developed, based on the dominance of species. The system distinguishes 47 elementary units (consocions) and 10 comprehensive units (formations). A large similarity exists between the salt-marsh algal vegetation in the SW-Netherlands and in the Waddensea. The present-day vegetation in the Waddensea is more diversified and abundant than that in the SW-Netherlands, owing to the execution of the Deltaplan, which changed a number of marine and brackish marshes into terrestrial landscapes.

Communication No. 380 of the DIHO, Yrrseke, The Netherlands.

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  1. Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research, Vierstraat 28, 4401 EA, Yerseke, The Netherlands

    P. H. Nienhuis

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  1. Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research, Vierstraat 28, 4401 EA, Yerseke, The Netherlands

    A. H. L. Huiskes

  2. Department of Experimental Plant Ecology, Catholic University, Toernooiveld, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    C. W. P. M. Blom

  3. Biological Laboratory, Free University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 7161, 1007 MC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. Rozema

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Nienhuis, P.H. (1987). Ecology of salt-marsh algae in the Netherlands. In: Huiskes, A.H.L., Blom, C.W.P.M., Rozema, J. (eds) Vegetation between land and sea. Geobotany, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4065-9_6

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