A model of the seasonal dynamics of biomass and production of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in the Bay of Calvi (Northwestern Mediterranean)

Modelling of seagrasses can be an effective tool to assess factors regulating their growth. Growth and production model of Posidonia oceanica, the dominant submerged aquatic macrophyte occurring in the Bay of Calvi (Corsica, Ligurian Sea, Northwestern (NW) Mediterranean) was developed. The state variables are the above- and below-ground biomass of P oceanica, the epiphyte biomass, and the internal nitrogen concentration of the whole plant. Light intensity and water temperature are the forcing variables. The model reproduces successfully seasonal growth and production for each variable at various depths (10, 20 and 30 m). The model can simulate also a number of consecutive years. Sensitivity analysis of model's parameters showed that the maximum nitrogen quota n(max) rate is the most sensitive parameter in this model. The results simulations imply that light intensity is one of the most important abiotic factors, the diminution of which can cause an important reduction in seagrass density. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.