| Title | Distributional Patterns and Taxonomic Structure of Diatom Assemblages in Netarts Bay, Oregon |
| Publication Type | Thesis |
| Year of Publication | 1983 |
| Authors | Whiting, Mark Carlos |
| Academic Department | Dept.of Botany and Plant Pathology |
| Degree | Ph. D. |
| Pagination | 138 p. |
| University | Oregon State University |
| City | Corvallis, Or. |
| Type of Work | Doctoral dissertation |
| Call Number | OSU Libraries: Valley LD4330 1983D .W5, Guin Whiting, Digital Open Access |
| Keywords | diatoms, marine plants, Netarts Bay, sediments, species list, theses, tides |
| Abstract | Epiphytic, planktonic and benthic diatom assemblages were investigated in Netarts Bay, Oregon. Samples were collected for a one year period from February 1980 to March 1981. A planktonic flora was observed only during periods of off-shore enrichment when marine neuritic species were abundant and were transported into the bay by tidal currents. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that epiphytic and benthic assemblages were distinct, with relatively little overlap in distribution of dominant taxa. The dynamics of the epiphyte assemblage were seasonal in nature, presumably related to the growth dynamics of the host plant (Zostera marina) as well as to seasonal changes in the physical environment. Intertidal exposure gradients exerted little influence on the distribution of dominant epiphyte taxa. In contrast to the epiphytic flora, dominant benthic taxa demonstrated little seasonal variation in relative abundance. The effects of intertidal exposure gradients on benthic diatoms were dependent on interactions with different sediment types. Benthic taxa in silty sediment were virtually unaffected by intertidal gradients while many taxa in sandy sediments had marked intertidal preferences. Most of the variation in the distribution and relative abundance of benthic taxa could be explained by the physical properties of the sediment, especially mean particle diameter, sediment organic content, and degree of sediment sorting. |
| Notes | Examined diatom assemblages in Netarts Bay. Collected samples at three sites from Feb.1980-Mar.1981. "A planktonic flora was observed only during periods of off-shore enrichment when marine neuritic species were abundant and were transported into the bay by tidal currents. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that epiphytic and benthic assemblages were distinct, with relatively little overlap in distribution of dominant taxa. The dynamics of the epiphyte assemblage were seasonal in nature, presumably related to the growth dynamics of the host plant (Zostera Merina) as well as to seasonal changes in the physical environment. Intertidal exposure gradients exerted little influence on the distribution of dominant epiphyte taxa. In contrast to the epiphytic flora, dominant benthic taxa demonstrated little seasonal variation in relative abundance." (from the Abstract) |
| URL | https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/f7623f949 |
| Label | 1810 |
