Summer Marine Algal Floras and Community Structures in Taean Peninsula, Korea

The benthic marine algal flora and community structure were examined at five sites of the Taean Peninsula, Korea, during July-August 2005. Ninety-six algal species were Identified, including 14 green, 21 brown, and 60 red algae, and 1 marine plant. The common species that occurred at the five sites were Sargassum thunbergii, Gelidium divaricatum, Caulacanthus okamurae, Gracilavia vermiculophylla, and Neorhodomela aculeata. Sthunbergii was the dominant species in terms of coverage and biomass at ail of the study sites. The average biomass varied from <TEX>23.72g/m²</TEX> in dry weight at Chaeseokpo to <TEX>66.43g/m²</TEX> at Padori. The species could be divided into six functional groups in terms of morphological characteristics: 41 coarsely branched forms, 25 filamentous forms, 16 sheet forms, 7 thick leathery forms, including the marine plant Phyllospadix iwatensis, 4 crustose forms, and 3 Jointed calcareous forms. The seaweed communities at the five study sites were unstable and the environmental conditions were bad or very bad. Among the five study sites, the ecological evaluation index (EEI) and diversity index (H') were maximal at Padori at 2.29 and 1.98, respectively. By contrast, the dominance index (DI) was minimal at Padori (0.55) and maximal at Baramarae (0.96). Therefore, we conclude that the rocky shore at Padori has the best environment among the five study sites, although the species richness and biomass of seaweeds have declined continuously over the last 10 years.