| Summary of the Functions and Values of Rockweed from: Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection manual at http://janus.state.me.us/dep/blwq/vol1pt4.pdf See the complete chapter on rockweed |
| Functions and Values (page 75) 1. Primary production....food for invertebrates and fish; supports commercial fisheries and wildlfe, commercially harvested for food and nutrients 2. Three dimensional canopy structure....Create habitat in barren environments; Refuge from predation, wave action, solar radiation, desiccation, weather, and temperature extremes; Nursery for invertebrates and lobsters (low zones); attachment site for larvae and eggs; increases biodiversity; supports commercial fisheries 3. Increases secondary production....Supports the food web; supports commercial fisheries 4. Nutrient and contaminant filtration...Improves water quality; supports commercial fisheries 5. Dampens current and wave energy...Reduces shoreline erosion; increases sedimentation 6. Oxygen production...Provides oxygen for marine organisms; improves water quality; supports commercial fisheries 7. Structure for the attachment of algae, diatoms and animals...Food resources for consumers; increases primary production; supports commercial fisheries 8. Production, accumulation and export of detritus...Fuels microbial, estuarine and offshore food webs; supports commercial fisheries 9. Recycling of nutrients...Supports plant and algal growth; supports commercial fisheries |