Seasonal variations in growth and reproduction of Halophila ovalis, dominant seagrass in Guangxi, and their center-edge effects within patches

Expand
  • 1. Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Ecosystem and Bioresource, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536000, China;

    2. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536000, China;

    3. Observation and Research Station of Coastal Wetland Ecosystem in Beibu Gulf, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536000, China;

    4. School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China

Received date: 2025-03-08

  Revised date: 2025-06-04

  Accepted date: 2025-06-13

  Online published: 2025-06-13

Supported by

The Guangxi Natural Science Foundation General Program Project (2023GXNSFAA026466); National Natural Science Foundation of China (42141016); Scientific Research Fund of the Fourth Institute of Oceanography, MNR (202203)

Abstract

Halophila ovalis is a dioecious seagrass species capable of both sexual reproduction and clonal propagation. This study investigated the seasonal growth and reproductive characteristics of H. ovalis population through quarterly monitoring in Zhulin, Guangxi, with particular focus on reproductive differences between female and male individuals at the center and edges of seagrass patches. Results showed that the density, coverage, and biomass of H. ovalis peaked in spring, reaching 47%±9%, (2967.36±661.96)ind.·m-2, and (37.68±8.85)gDW·m-2, respectively. Annual averages were 38%±14% for coverage, (1851.02±1036.81)ind.·m-2 for shoot density, and (27.60±13.97)gDW·m-2 for biomass. Sexual reproduction occurred in spring, with distinct female and male flowers. Both seagrass density and biomass were significantly higher at patch centers than at edges, a pattern mirrored in macrobenthic biomass. Male individuals exhibited significantly shorter internode length than females, though no significant differences were observed between center and edge positions within either sex. These findings provide fundamental insights into the reproductive ecology of H. ovalis, offering scientific support for the conservation and restoration of seagrass beds.

Cite this article

ZHENG Zhenming YU Shuo HUANG Yuzhou ZHU Fangchao CHEN Xuyang XIONG Zhixiang LIU Peipei . Seasonal variations in growth and reproduction of Halophila ovalis, dominant seagrass in Guangxi, and their center-edge effects within patches[J]. Journal of Tropical Oceanography, 0 : 1 . DOI: 10.11978/2025040

Outlines

/