Examining how seagrass decomposition contributes to trophic pathways in marine ecosystems
is crucial in understanding seagrass production. Decomposition rates of seagrasses may depend on
many factors such as chemical composition and microbial colonization. In this study, microbial
colonization and changes in chemical composition of decomposing material (necromass) of
Smooth Ribbon Seagrass, Cymodocea rotundata of Bogtong Bay, Lahuy Island, Caramoan,
Philippines were monitored. Seagrass litter were placed in litterbags and incubated in the seagrass
meadow in situ for 56 d. Serial dilution, viable plate counts and microbial oxygen consumption
analyses were done and gravimetry, Kjeldahl method and acid hydrolysis were used respectively
to measure the change in carbohydrate, protein and nitrogen content of the decomposing
necromass. Results showed that the decomposition processing rate was 0.27 to 2.51% biomass (g
dw) loss per day with a half-life of 2.36 to 2.88 d. Growth of bacteria was greater than fungi
throughout the course of experiment.Etc...
Keywords
Seagrass decomposition; Cymodocea rotundata; Litter bag experiment; Microbial colonization