Assessment of diversity associated with algal mats at Sandspit backwater mangrove stand
2009
Farooq, Sumera
Mangrove forests are considered as second most productive ecosystem inthe world. They provide habitat for a wide variety of fauna and flora. The green algalmats are the common feature of mangrove forests. The aim of this study was to find outthe distribution of algal mats formed by Cladophora coelothrix in the mangrove forestsand to analyze the diversity of associated organisms with these algal mats at Sandspitbackwater mangrove stand. Variation in species number and density in algal mat at twostations were observed. The diversity of Microphytobenthos (MB) is comparativelyhigher in full grown mats at both sites. In decomposed mats the species number anddensity of both MB and macrobenthos decreased significantly. The occurrence of C.coelothrix mat and high number of MB abundance is related to the close proximity towater channels. From the management perspective, the results suggest that the abundanceand diversity of macrofauna and abundance of microalgae may be useful as biologicalindicators to assess the environmental impact on mangrove habitat.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]