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DISTRIBUTION AND SEASONAL BIOMASS OF SEAWEEDS ON THE ROCKY SHORE OF BULEJI, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

SHAISTA HAMEED AND MUZAMMIL AHMED

Abstract: Of a total of 41 genera and 66 species of red, green and brown seaweeds collected from the rocky shore of Buleji during August, 1993 to July 1994, highest number of 34 species was observed in January and lowest number of 2 species in July with highest record of 13,833 g/m² and lowest 105 g/m ² fresh weight of seaweeds. Highest fresh weight of 41,313.5 g/m2 was produced by brown seaweeds. The high-tide zone of the exposed shore showed luxuriant growth of Ulva fasciata. Jolyna laminarioides. Melanothamnus somaliensis and Chaetomorpha antennina. Comparing the earlier record of some 25 years ago showed a decrease of algal biomass and an increase in species diversity in the same area.

Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.