Subtidal turf algae

Long description

Subtidal turf algae growing as a dense mat or ‘turf’ on either consolidated or unconsolidated substrate[4]. Algal turfs are usually less than 10 millimetres in height, and can be assemblages of many species of minute algae, often in association with unconsolidated substrates such as muds and sands.

Algal turfs often persist because constant grazing by herbivores prevents overgrowth by macrophytic algae. Common species on inshore reefs are from the genera Lyngbya, Acetabularia,  Cladophora and Sphacelaria, with a different suite of species dominating offshore reefs[2].

Algal turfs are common in the shallow subtidal area close to the shoreline and less than 5 metres below the sea surface. They are often in a band above that occupied by zoanthids and ascidians, soft corals (i.e. octocorallians*) and hard corals (in bands of descending depth). Associated fauna include low density zoanthids and ascidians as well as soft corals (e.g. octocorallians from the genera Cladiella, Klyxum)[5].

Turf algal ecosystems may also occur on unconsolidated substrate where they may be a minor component of seagrass ecosystems. Usually found in low energy environments, although they may occur as a minor component on the lee of high energy rocky shores where areas are subject to sand scour.

Herbivorous biota play a significant role in encouraging or discouraging algal growth on coral reefs, depending on the intensity of grazing and preferred food. Farming damselfish defend their territories from other foraging fish, halting the algal succession at the turf algae stage on a coral reef substrate[1].

*Octocorallia is a subclass of the class Anthozoa in the phylum Cnidaria, and include soft corals, gorgonians, sea whips, sea pens, sea fans and octocorals. Like some of the many other anthozoans, octocorallians are sessile polyp-bearing animals with a mobile larval phase. Octocorallians are distinguished by the eight (i.e. octo) tentacles in each polyp. Most octocorallians do not deposit a rigid calcium carbonate exoskeleton, and therefore tend to attach to reefs rather than contribute to reefal frameworks as per the reef building Scleractinian (hard) corals[3].

Special values

Algal turfs often coexist with coral communities.

Diagnostic attributes

Inundation 'Subtidal'

Structural macrobiota 'Algae - turf'

Qualifiers

Although unmapped, Period and Trend qualifiers are relevant as turf algae is variable in extent over time.

Distribution

Turf algae ecosystems are found throughout Queensland waters.

The following relates to distribution of this ecosystem type within the Central Queensland mapping area:

• Turf algae is a significant component of the Hervey Bay mainland coral reef systems[5]. Black damselfishes farm turf algae on foliose Turbinaria colonies on Hervey Bay mainland reefs (Zann pers. obs.).
• Turf algae is seldom mapped in Central Queensland, unless as a component of a field validated remote sensing extent study.

Comments

Likely to expand in extent on inventory of other shallow consolidated ecosystems.

Additional Information

Saltmarshes, seagrasses and algae - Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Algae - WetlandInfo

References

1. ^ Ceccarelli, DM, McKinnon, AD, Andrefouet, S, Allain, V, Young, J, Gledhill, DC, Flynn, A, Bax, NJ, Beaman, R, Borsa, P, Brinkman, R, Bustamante, RH, Campbell, R, Cappo, M, Cravatte, S, D'Agata, S, Dichmont, CM, Dunstan, PK, Dupouy, C, Edgar, G, Farman, R, Furnas, M, Garrigue, C, Hutton, T, Kulbicki, M, Letourneur, Y, Lindsay, D, Menkes, C, Mouillot, D, Parravicini, V, Payri, C, Pelletier, B, Richer de Forges, B, Ridgway, K, Rodier, M, Samadi, S, Schoeman, D, Skewes, T, Swearer, S, Vigliola, L, Wantiez, L, Williams, A, Williams, A & Richardson, AJ (2013), 'The coral sea: physical environment, ecosystem status and biodiversity assets', Advances in Marine Biology, vol. 66, pp. 213-290, Elsevier Ltd, United States.
2. ^ Diaz-Pulido, G & McCook, L (2008), State of the Great Barrier Reef report.. [online], Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Qld.. Available at: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/3970/SORR_Macroalgae.pdf.
3. ^ Fabricius, K (2010), 'Octocorallia', in Encyclopedia of Modern Coral Reefs, pp. Chapter-35.
4. ^ McKenna SA, Bryant CV, Tol SJ & Rasheed MA (2013), 'Baseline Assessment of Benthic Communities (algae and macro‐invertebrates) in the Port Curtis Region. November 2013', JCU Publication, Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Publication, Cairns, 26pp, vol. 14/54, JCU Publication, Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Publication, Cairns.
5. ^ a b Zann, M (2012), The use of remote sensing and field validation for mapping coral communities of Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait and implications for coastal planning policy, The University of Queensland.

Last updated: 22 July 2019