A classification of coastal lagoons based on the distribution of primary producer groups and associated biogeochemical processes  

Authors / CoAuthors

Haese, R.R.

Abstract

Coastal lagoons are a type of estuary, which has highly variable assemblages of primary producer groups. A classification is derived distinguishing microphytobenthos-dominated, perennial and ephemeral submerged aquatic vegetation-dominated, and nutrient- and light-limited phytoplankton-dominated lagoons. The principle variables required for the classification are bathymetry, light attenuation and initial solar radiation, dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration and the area covered by ephemeral and perennial submerged aquatic vegetation. Biogeochemical processes and system-wide nutrient dynamics are inherently coupled to the distribution of primary producer groups, so that the classification provides inferences on water quality and ecosystem functioning for different lagoon types and supports the development of management plans and ecological status assessments. Four case studies representing different lagoon types from the temperate south-eastern and south-western coast of Australia are presented. It is demonstrated that the distribution of primary producer groups, and consequently the lagoon type, can be temporarily variable, e.g. as a function of seasonal solar radiation and light attenuation, the water level in a closed lagoon or the degree of eutrophication.

Product Type

nonGeographicDataset

eCat Id

70340

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Keywords

• External Publication

( Theme )

• coasts

( Theme )

• bathymetry

( Theme )

• resource management

( Theme )

• vegetation

( Theme )

• marine

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

• Earth Sciences

• Published_Internal

Publication Date

2010-04-19T00:00:00

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Australian Government Security ClassificationSystem    

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence    

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Use - license

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unknown

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geoscientificInformation

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