Seasonal Changes in Limestone and Sand Plant Communities off the Florida West Coast

Abstract. The benthic flora of the limestone (20%) and sand (80%) substrates typical of intermediate depths on the west coast of Florida was sampled using quadrats over a three year period. Twenty seven taxa of macroscopic algae and one seagrass, Halophila decipiens , were collected. No plants were found during February of two consecutive years. The biomass and available energy ranged from 0 (winter) to 12.4g dry weight and 128 kJ (summer) per 25cm^: on the limestone outcroppings and from 0 to 4.4g dry weight and 43 kJ for the sand substrate. The flora was seasonal with no dominant macroscopic algae occurring throughout the year. The flora of the intermediate depths is subjected to abiotic disturbances and is rudcral in nature. Thus, secondary production in the extensive intermediate depths along the west coast of Florida must depend more on the inshore, shallow water seagrass communities for primary production.