| Remarks |
Abstract: Macroalgae associated with 9 seagrass beds have been studied qualitatively and quantitatively, according to a modified Braun-Blanquet scale. The diversity and abundance of benthic marine algae increased with variability of hard stabilized substrata. The spatial pattern of macroalgae coincided with 3 physiographic units: the “inner” reef flat, with a dominance of Sargassum oligocystum Mont. and a sub-dominance of Cystophyllum trinode (Forsk.) J. Ag., Padina tenuis (Bory) Wom. & Bail. and Dictyosphaeria versluysii Weber-van Bosse; the “middle” reef flat showed an abundance of seagrasses (mainly Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers. and Cymodocea rotundata Ehrenb. and Hempr. ex. Aschers.) and 2 macroalgae (Champia parvula (C.Ag.) Harv. and Hypnea boergesenii Tanaka); and the “outer” reef flat dominated by Turbinaria spp., Sargassum spp. and Hormophysa triquetra (L.) Kütz. The temporal pattern of benthic macroalgae varied with location and was related to the availability of suitable substrata. More than 100 species have been found, with as many as 67 species in a Thalassia-Montipora community and as few as 16 in a meadow of Cymodocea serrulata (R.Br.) Aschers. and Magnus. Year-to-year changes in the floristic composition and abundance are presented for 3 localities. |
