Ecology of Subtidal Algae on Seasonally Devastated Cobble Substrates off Ghana

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Abstract
The growth of subtidal algae on calcareous cobbles is restricted to a short (2—4 mo) growing season. Most algae are destroyed during rainy season storms due to surge and cobble tumbling; algal density is low throughout the year. Significant interspecific competition does not occur on cobbles, and no species/area relationship could be demonstrated. The number of species per cobble is correlated with cobble moment of inertia (resistance to tumbling) during the rainy season. Species diversity on cobbles is significantly higher than on neighboring rocky reefs. Available evidence suggests an annual floristic cycle, although biomass and diversity are closely related to short—term weather conditions. Ephemerals, annuals, pseudoannuals, and prennials appear sequentially during the growing season. Species with greater potential size reach peak abundance late in the growing season, although many never reach maximum size or reproduce on cobbles. These longevity and size trends cannot be said to constitute adaptive strategies on cobbles. The high species diversity observed on cobbles is adequately explained by seasonal disturbance.

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