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The Distribution and Diversity of Macroalgae in Selected Estuaries Along the Eastern Cape Coast of South Africa

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The Distribution and Diversity of Macroalgae in Selected Estuaries Along the Eastern Cape Coast of South Africa THE DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY OF MACROALGAE IN SELECTED ESTUARIES ALONG THE EASTERN CAPE COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA By Shireen Prinsloo Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Scientiae in the Faculty of Science at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Submitted in January 2012 Supervisor: Professor Eileen E. Campbell Co supervisor: Professor John J. Bolton Acknowledgements I would like to thank God for giving me the persevering spirit that has allowed me to complete this dissertation. I would also like to express my gratitude to the people and organizations that have provided advice, finance and support throughout this study. Professor Eileen Campbell, I am indebted to for your guidance and direction throughout the duration of this project. Professor John Bolton, you always gave generously of your time, resources and knowledge. A sincere thank you is expressed to Professor Janine Adams, who had continually made herself available for discussions, for providing constructive criticism and for allowing me to join her estuary research team on their field trips. Without you, this work would not have been as fruitful and enjoyable as it has been. I am fortunate to have been able to work with each of you in all areas of estuarine research and have learnt a great deal from all of you. The National Research Foundation and NMMU Research Capacity Development are thanked for their financial support. Thanks to all the staff and students from the NMMU Botany Department who made hours in the laboratory and computer rooms seem fewer and for helpful brainstorm sessions when ideas ran low. The Botany Department Department at the University of Cape Town, are also thanked for their assistance in the department’s phycology laboratory and for making me feel like a part of their Botany “family” the times I visited the Western Cape. To my family and friends, I am fortunate to have had your love, understanding and support throughout this journey. To my parents, Zureena and Ashley, thank you for all the encouragement that has helped me reach this point. To my brother, Ashwynn, your willingness to make me laugh during stressful times was highly appreciated. I dedicate this work to you. i Table of Contents Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... i Abstract: ................................................................................................................................. viii 1. Introduction........................................................................................................................1 2. Literature Review: ............................................................................................................. 4 2.1. Why focus on macroalgae in estuaries? ...................................................................... 4 2.2. The natural grouping of estuaries and their classification ........................................ 6 2.2.1. Permanently open estuaries................................................................................. 7 2.2.2. River mouths ....................................................................................................... 9 2.2.3. Temporarily open/closed estuaries ..................................................................... 9 2.2.4. Estuarine lakes .................................................................................................. 10 2.2.5. Estuarine bays ................................................................................................... 11 2.3. Estuarine habitats and macroalgal associations ....................................................... 11 2.3.1. Saltmarshes and submerged macrophytes ........................................................ 11 2.3.2. Reeds and sedges .............................................................................................. 13 2.3.3. Mangroves.………….…..………………………………………………………13 2.4. Biogeography and distribution..................................................................................14 2.4.1. Factors affecting macroalgae occurance and distribution in estuaries....................16 2.4.1.1. Rainfall, river flow and turbidity...................................................................17 2.4.1.2. Salinitychanges.............................................................................................18 2.4.1.3. Temperature effects and seasonalinty............................................................19 2.4.1.4. Nutrients and eutrophication in estuaries......................................................20 2.4.1.5. Macroalgae responses to disturbance events in estuaries..............................21 3. Study area........................................................................................................................22 3.1. Mngazana estuary......................................................................................................24 3.2. Ngqusi and Nxaxo estuary.........................................................................................25 3.3. Mtati estuary...............................................................................................................26 3.4. Mpekweni estuary......................................................................................................27 3.5. East and West Kleinemonde estuary........................................................................28 3.6. Kowie estuary.............................................................................................................30 3.7. Kariega estuary..........................................................................................................31 ii 3.8. Bushmans estuary.......................................................................................................32 3.9. Sundays estuary...........................................................................................................33 4. Methods ............................................................................................................................ 35 4.1. Field work .................................................................................................................... 35 4.2. Laboratory processing ................................................................................................ 36 4.3. Statistical analysis ....................................................................................................... 37 5. Results ............................................................................................................................ ..37 5.1. Community composition and environmental conditions of estuaries ................... .41 5.2. Macroalgal diversity, distribution and species richness ........................................ ..49 5.2.1. Macroalgal groups ............................................................................................ .....49 5.2.2. Species distribution............................................................................................ ....54 5.2.3. Species richness.....................................................................................................61 6. Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 64 6.1. Community composition and environmental conditions of estuaries...................64 6.2. Macroalgal diversity, distribution and species richness..........................................69 7. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 77 8. References ........................................................................................................................ 80 9. Appendices ....................................................................................................................... 92 iii List of Figures Figure 1: The South African coast divided into three estuarine bio-regions. ...... ..............7 Figure 2: Location of estuaries surveyed along the Eastern Cape coast, South Africa. .. 24 Figure 3: Detrended Correspondence Analysis of sites based on macroalgal taxa along the lengths of estuaries selected in the Eastern Cape.. ............... .................................42 Figure 4: Detrended Correspondence Analysis of macroalgal species cover from five sampling sites along the lengths of eleven estuaries selected in the Eastern Cape............................................................................................................................44 Figure 5: Canonical Correspondence Analysis of estuary sites based on macroalgal taxa and environmental variables within each of the eleven estuaries selected along the Eastern Cape coast.....................................................................................................47 Figure 6: Differences in the relative macroalgal abundances of Chlorophyes, Ochrophytes and Rhodophytes from five sites selected along the Sundays estuary..................................................................................................................50 Figure 7: Differences in the relative macroalgal abundances of Chlorophyes, Ochrophytes and Rhodophytes from five sites selected along the Bushmans estuary..................................................................................................................50 Figure 8: Differences in
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