Taxonomic and Morpho-Functional Photosynthetic Patterns of 18 Intertidal Macroalgal Species in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, China

Macroalgae provide food for microbial, meio- and macro-faunal communities in coastal ecosystems, thus mediating nutrient dynamics functions these ecosystems. Because of this vital role, it is important to clarify physiological information about macroalgae as reflects their growth potential the field. In study, we examined biomass, pigment content, photosynthetic O2 evolution rate versus irradiance curves 18 macroalgal species from intertidal zone Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, China, investigated patterns relation phyla characteristics, morphology, locations. The results showed that green algae had highest maximum (Pmax), light utilization efficiency (α), dark respiration (Rd) among three phyla; sheet-like Pmax, α, Rd four morphological categories. upper higher Pmax α lower saturation (EK) compensation (EC) than those location. PCA biomass was positively correlated with factor PC1 (50.34%), finely branched negatively PC2 (25.17%). addition, our indicate absorption capabilities could determine whether they dominate characteristics be used a indicator distribution Area.