Stranded kelp : its fauna and influence on sandy beach energetics.
Master Thesis
1983
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
This thesis presents results of studies conducted on banks of kelp stranded on a sandy beach at Kommetjie on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula. The physical and chemical character of the beach are related to variations in the standing stocks and productivity of macro-, meio-fauna and bacteria as determined from a quantitative survey conducted on a monthly basis throughout 1981. Tracer experiments were carried out to establish the partitioning of dissolved organic matter between the different faunal elements (namely bacteria and meiofaunal present in the sand below decomposing kelp. Finally, a description of the flow of energy through the wrack bed ecosystem is given.
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Bibliography: leaves 137-149.
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Stenton-Dozey, J. 1983. Stranded kelp : its fauna and influence on sandy beach energetics. University of Cape Town.