Are benthic cyanobacteria indicators of nutrient enrichment? Relationships between cyanobacterial abundance and environmental factors on the reef flats of guam

摘要

While benthic, filamentous cyanobacteria can be common on coral reefs, the factors influencing tier distribution are poorly understood. Cyanobacterial blooms, like macroalgal blooms, may result from a combination of coastal eutrophication and re- duced herbivory. Because benthic cyanobacteria are unpalatable to generalist herbivores, there may b little top-down control of cyanobacterial abundance.