PJB-2023-3
DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND SEASONAL VARIATION OF SEAWEEDS IN SOUTHWEST COAST OF PENINSULAR INDIA
N. Maybel Starlin
Abstract
Six different research locations around the southwest coasts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala were used for the current investigations on the diversity, distribution, and seasonal fluctuation of seaweeds(India). A total of 73 green, brown and red seaweeds were recorded under 23 families and 38 genera. The study site Rasthakaadu is with the maximum number (53) of seaweeds followed by Kanniyakumari (51). Out of six study sites, four study sites (Rasthakaadu, Kanniyakumari, Muttom, Kurumpanai) are dominant with red seaweeds in contrast to other two study sites (Vallavilai, Vizhinjam) in which green seaweeds are dominant. Green seaweeds such as Chaetomorpha antannina, C. indica, C. media, Ulva fasciata, U. lactuca, brown seaweeds Sargassum ilicifolium and red seaweed Gracilariopsis longissima were commonly seen in the study area. Chaetomorpha indica (Chlorophyceae) was recorded as the most dominant species in season I, whereas Sargassum ilicifolium (Phaeophyaceae)is considered as the most dominant seaweed taxon in seasons II and III. The seasonal variation in physic-chemical parameters of sea water has much influence on the growth of seaweeds. Comparing the eastern Coromandel Coast of peninsular India to the western Malabar Coast, it has been found from the current study that the eastern Coromandel Coast is rich in seaweeds. Thus, it has been found from the current study that the topography and seasonal change of the physico-chemical characteristics of sea water at a given site are the key determinants of seaweed richness. Anthropogenic activities, like Nuclear power plant (Koodankulam), sand mining, construction works, dumping of plastics etc., also affect the potential growth of seaweeds and thereby reducing sustainability of the natural resource.
Keywords: Conservation, Diversity, Peninsular India, Sea weeds.
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