Species Composition and Vertical Distribution of Marine Algal Communities at the Taean Peninsula of the West Coast of Korea

Seasonal variability in algal community structure was examined at the intertidal zones of five study sites on the Taean Peninsula, on the western coast of Korea, from February 2014 to November 2015. A total of 118 species of marine algae, comprising 17 green, 24 brown and 77 red algae, were identified. The maximum number of species was observed at the Mohang site (75 species), and the minimum at the Yeonpo site (46 species). The seaweed biomass was <TEX>160.24g\;dry\;wt./m²</TEX> on average, and was maximal at Uihang (<TEX>519.04g\;dry\;wt./m²</TEX>) and minimal at Yeonpo (<TEX>19.03g\;dry\;wt./m²</TEX>). Based on biomass, the dominant seaweeds at Taean peninsula were Sargassum thunbergii and Corallina pilulifera. Community indices were as follows: richness index (R), 3.21-5.01; evenness index (J'), 0.33-0.38; and diversity index (H'), 0.90-1.12. Based on evaluation of the environmental states by the community indices, the ecological evaluation index (EEI) of Taean peninsula was "moderate". The overall species and biomass of seaweeds decreased after the oil spill. However, Hakampo previously showed a similar algal community structure. In conclusion, the algal community was temporarily affected by the oil spill, but rapidly recovered.