Standing Stock and Production of Eelgrass (Zostera Marina L.) in Humboldt Bay, California

摘要

Measurements of the eelgrass standing stock in Humboldt Bay were conducted on seven occasions from June 1971 through August 1972. Values ranged from 1.4 x 10 exp 6 kg dry wt. in April 1972 to 6.9 x 10 exp 6 kg dry wt. in July 1972. South Bay eelgrass accounted for 78 to 91% of the total stock. The area supporting Zostera marina growth was 12.21 x 10 exp 6 m exp 2 . Densities ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 kg dry wt. per square meter with highest values recorded for South Bay beds. Eelgrass production was estimated from the seasonal increase in standing stock and published values for carbon content. Production for the April--July interval was 1.5 grams carbon per m exp 2 per day. Total eelgrass production for Humboldt Bay was 18.4 x 10 exp 6 grams carbon per day. The eelgrass production measured during this interval was approximately equal to phytoplankton production measured over the same period.