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Bleaching of upper intertidal

Episodic

Not used to all that sunshine

EXAMPLES of Bleaching

  Thesis:

 

In this page show extent of ‘worst’ episode of 2004.

 

As the bleaching soon disappears, but other episodes follow later in summer

 

Suggest that bleaching events require series of small ‘high tides’ (neaps) and sunny weather

To be removed by large high tides (spring tides) – see next page

 

 

 

Most the upper intertidal algae affected

Probably the M parksii (c left---- c = cornucopeia which is an older name for the entity and for which many recognize it by still)

 

The m represents Mazzaella which as we see below appears to be often killed by the bleaching (especially the ones that are highest up on shore)

The Endocladia grows between m and c on image left and seems less affected. Porphyra which has lasted into summer does not bleach at all

Close ups (from north Island material)

 

After series of Spring tides the bleaching no longer evident

 

Alternative Hypothesis

While I accept the correlation between higher tides and the evident disappearance of the bleaching, an alternative explanation is that intense grazing is removing the bleached areas.

Note the apparent striped tentacle of the Littorina scutulata and the ‘huge’ barnacle which given the plates configuration is merely a B glandula

Created by LG on 9/12/2004

Last updated on Monday, September 13, 2004