Dr. Clinton J. Dawes

My areas of research are ultrastructural studies of seaweeds, physiological ecology of tropical seagrasses, as well as a general interest in marine plants and economically important seaweeds. More recently we have been concerned with the decline in diversity of seaweeds in Maine and the Florida Keys that appear due to anthropogenic influences.

The west coast of Florida, in particular Tampa Bay and the Florida Keys have been sites of my studies on mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes and seaweeds. Physiological studies have emphasized the ability of marine plants to acclimate to estuarine and oceanic habitats. Our physiological studies include measurement of growth (via culturing), photosynthesis and respiration, and organic constituents (protein, carbohydrate, lipid). The laboratory utilized experimental field and culture approaches to answer questions regarding the tolerances of seaweeds in mangrove and salt marsh communities and growth of seagrasses. Three of our present studies have outside funding: (1) we are trying to determine how to induce production of rhizome apices of Thalassia testudinum (Hillsborough Environmental Pollution Commission), (2) we are carrying on eco-physiological studies on drift algae in seagrass beds (Florida Center for Environmental Studies), and (3) we are measuring nitrate uptake by the cyanobacteria Lyngbya sp. that has become a problem alga in the Rainbow River (with B. Cowell; Southwest Florida Water Management District). Most of our studies incorporate measurements that will aid in determining the health of the marine plant communities.

Relevant to the biota of the Gulf of Mexico, Dr. Dawes has published the following:

Dawes, C.J. 1974. Marine Algae of the West Coast of Florida. University of Miami Press, Miami, Florida.