Seaweed Adaptations to Herbivory

Herbivory on seaweeds can be intense, with nearly 100% of production being consumed in some habitats (Carpente 1986). Seaweeds minimize damage from herbivore by any of three strategies (Lubchenco and Gaines 1981). They can escape in space or time so they do not co-occur with important herbivores or are not detected when they do co-occur. They can deter feeding by herbivores that encounter and recognize the plant. And they can minimize the decrease in fitness that results from herbivore attack.