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The aim of the project is to describe distribution of charophytes in Estonian coastal areas of the Baltic Sea and to evaluate the importance of this group of algae in the total flux of energy and matter of the coastal ecosystem. Being a quite unique and small group of macroalgae in Estonian coastal sea the total importance of them has been heavily underestimated so far. Small amount of information about charophytes in Estonian coastal sea areas is caused mainly by taxonomic problems and development peculiarities of charophyte species (usually inhabiting shallow, soft bottoms and often hidden in the communities of other aquatic plants with much higher biomass). Present project will continue work started under the state programme nr 0200792s98 without any direct funding. Project is divided in four distinct subdivisions: a) analyses of field mapping data of the distribution of charophyte species in coastal areas with collection of environmental data, b) production and growth experiments in field laboratory conditions, c) in situ experiments of regeneration ability of the charophyte community after mechanical damage, d) in situ experiments to determine importance of grazing by invertebrates on the development of charophyte community. Expected results:Description of distribution of charophyte species in Estonian coastal areas of the Baltic Sea in relation to different environmental factors (depth, salinity, substrate, wave activity). Evaluation of production and growth rates of different charophyte species in relation to different environmental conditions. Evaluation of importance of grazing on development of charophyte community. Evaluation of regeneration ability of charophyte community after mechanical damage . |