Ecology Zostera noltei

zostera noltii stabilises seabed

seagrass beds highly productive , form basis of important coastal ecosystems. many different species of algae grow epiphytically on zostera noltii. these include brown algae species cladosiphon zosterae, halothrix lumbricalis, leblondiella densa, myrionema magnusii , punctaria crispata. these grow on other seagrasses such zostera marina. parasite, plasmodiophora bicaudata, attacks eel grasses, including zostera noltii. prevents further growth between nodes , damages clumps leaves growing in tufts, causing known wasting disease. eel grass beds provide refuge many invertebrates , safe haven developing juvenile fish. detritus produced when leaves decay in winter enriches sediment. decomposing tissues basis food chain , large numbers of protists found in water column nearby feeding on leached organic compounds , bacteria break down tissues.

zostera noltii plays important part in winter diet of whooper swan (cygnus cygnus), mute swan (cygnus olor), brent goose (branta bernicla) , wigeon (anas penelope) , in fact, overwinting populations of brent goose in europe have declined since wasting disease has become established , reduced quantity of eel grass available. wigeon numbers have declined. shy birds , resort feeding on zostera noltii when seagrass beds lower down beach exhausted. @ least of seeds of eel grass have been found germinate freely after have passed through gut of wildfowl , provides means eel grass may travel dozens of kilometres (miles) , increase range. however, seedlings of zostera noltii seldom encountered , vegetative reproduction, in sections of rhizome become detached parent plant, common means of spread.

zostera noltii , other seagrasses important in stabilising sediments , reducing wave energy , may provide coastal defence against erosion. sensitive being smothered shifting sediment , has low capacity recover when buried. may due relatively short leaves , lack of vertical rhizomes. regularly exposed on foreshore @ low tide , resistant desiccation. although supports biodiverse assortment of animal species, these more numerous in subtidal beds. although zostera noltii populations may declining slowly, iucn red list of threatened species lists being of least concern .