Nitrogen Fixation in a Coral Reef Community

Algal reef flats at Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands, fix atmospheric nitrogen at rates comparable to those in managed agriculture. The dominant nitrogen fixer appears to be the blue-green alga Calothrix crustacea. Since this nutrient enrichment contributes to the high productivity of adjacent coral...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1975-04, Vol.188 (4185), p.257-259
Main Authors: Wiebe, W. J., Johannes, R. E., Webb, K. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Antigens
Coral reefs
Corals
Homologous transplantation
Nitrogen
Nitrogen fixation
Organ culture techniques
Sea water
Surface areas
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Summary:Algal reef flats at Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands, fix atmospheric nitrogen at rates comparable to those in managed agriculture. The dominant nitrogen fixer appears to be the blue-green alga Calothrix crustacea. Since this nutrient enrichment contributes to the high productivity of adjacent coral reefs and undoubtedly to atoll lagoons, it is recommended that the algal reef flats receive increased conservation priority.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.188.4185.257