Effect of depth gradient and temperature on Zostera marina vegetative and reproductive phenology in the first year of the 1997–1998 El Niño

Does Zostera marina exhibit phenotypic plasticity, maximizing fitness in traits responding to environmental factors, i.e., depth and temperature? We compared the vegetative sexual phenology reproductive effort of Z. by analyzing shoot density, biomass, stages determine structural features shoots from subtidal intertidal environments San Quintín Bay, Baja California, a year before after 1997–1998 El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). found significant differences biomass between driven temperature ENSO non-ENSO years. Subtidal plants had lower density long shorter cycle. Seed release occurred May October environment, November environment. Maximal recorded values were 219.5 (±45.8) seeds per environment 151.3 (±21.5) observed higher activity most stressful Both affected increase during ENSO, but densities not affected.