LEAF-SIZE DYNAMICS FOR ZOSTERA-MARINA L IN SAN-QUINTIN BAY, MEXICO - A THEORETICAL-STUDY

A modification to the traditional restricted-growth model, including a factor associated with environmental forcing, is presented in the pre sent paper. The model was fitted to observed leaf-growth rates in a Zo stera marina meadow in the temperate waters of San Quintin Bay, Mexico . Results indicate chat the proposed model, with a representation of t he environmental-forcing factor as a general linear function of underw ater radiation, water temperature, dissolved nutrients and their cross products, is consistent with the available data on average growth rat es. A theoretical asymptotic length of 1432 mm was obtained. This is c onsistent with reported maximum leaf lengths. The use of the model to obtain a lower bound for short life span is discussed. The estimation of the minimum time for a growing leaf to reach a given size is also i llustrated. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.