OBSERVATIONS ON WATER LOSS OF SEAWEEDS IN RELATION TO MICROCLIMATE ON A TROPICAL SHORE (GHANA)1

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Abstract
During a 24-hr. period (12-13 April, 1966) continuous records of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, salt spary, and evaporative power of the air were made at Nungua beach, Ghana. Water loss from emersed plants of Sargassum vulgare, Bryocladia thyrsigera, and Ulva fasciata was measured during the same period. The daily march of desiccation in these seaweeds follows the curve for evaporative power of the air. At night the 3 species lose relatively little water and very nearly the same percentage in each case. During the day Ulva is most resistant to water loss, Bryocladia next, and Sargassum is least resistant. This behavior is correlated with the upper limits of the zones they occupy on the shore.