Morpho-functional patterns and zonation of South Chilean seaweeds: the importance of photosynthetic and bio-optical traits.

The article discusses a research study on South Chilean seaweeds, their zonation, morpho-functional patterns and bio-optical and photosynthetic traits. Studied were tidal zone species of seaweed assemblages in the rocky shores of Valdivia, southern Chile including 6 green species, 19 red and 7 brown algae from 4 littoral zones including the supralittoral fringe, midlittoral zone and infralittoral fringe, after which measurements of underwater spectral profiles of solar irradiation in midsummer were recorded, photosynthetic activities measured and photoinhibition of photosynthesis determined through the 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results indicated the attenuation of Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation within the first 2.5 meters of the water column.