spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Utter, B.
Right arrow Articles by Denny, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Utter, B.
Right arrow Articles by Denny, M.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 199, Issue 12 2645-2654, Copyright © 1996 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Wave-induced forces on the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (Agardh): field test of a computational model

B Utter and M Denny

We propose a hydro-mechanical numerical model that predicts the maximal tension to which stipes of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera will be subjected when exposed to ocean waves. Predicted maximal tensions are close to those measured in the field. The strength of Macrocystis pyrifera stipes was measured, allowing our prediction of forces to be translated into a prediction of the fraction of stipes broken. Predicted breakage is low even for extreme storm waves, a testament to the mechanical design of individual kelp fronds. However, empirically measured rates of kelp mortality can be high, considerably higher than those predicted on the basis of hydrodynamic forces acting alone. This indicates that factors not taken into account in our model (such as holdfast dislodgment, entanglement of stipes, damage from herbivory and wave breaking) contribute substantially to mortality in Macrocystis pyrifera.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
K. J. Mach, D. V. Nelson, and M. W. Denny
Techniques for predicting the lifetimes of wave-swept macroalgae: a primer on fracture mechanics and crack growth
J. Exp. Biol., July 1, 2007; 210(13): 2213 - 2230.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
K. J. Mach, B. B. Hale, M. W. Denny, and D. V. Nelson
Death by small forces: a fracture and fatigue analysis of wave-swept macroalgae
J. Exp. Biol., July 1, 2007; 210(13): 2231 - 2243.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1996