Pak. J. Bot., 39(6): 2097-2102, 2007.

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			Updated: 23-09-10
	EPIPHYTIC ALGAL BIOMASS ON PNEUMATOPHORES OF MANGROVES OF KARACHI, INDUS DELTA S.M. SAIFULLAH¹ AND WAQAR AHMED² Abstract: The epiphytic algal biomass on pneumatophores of the grey mangrove Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh., was estimated for the first time from the Indus Delta region during the northeast monsoon season. Its average value was 8.38±0.27mg DW cm^-2 of pneumatophores surface area and 132.84±7.79 gm DW m^-2 of mud surface comparable to some other areas in the world. The algae formed a thick felt-like covering on the entire length of the pneumatophores except for a small portion at the tip. Vaucheria karachiensis was the most prominent and dominant alga. The algae were more common in shaded areas and also during colder months. ¹Mangrove Ecosystem Lab., Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan smsaifullah2001@yahoo.com ²Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270 Pakistan. Email: wahmed@uok.edu.pk

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EPIPHYTIC ALGAL BIOMASS ON PNEUMATOPHORES OF MANGROVES OF KARACHI, INDUS DELTA