Seasonal Variation in Community Structure of Subtidal Seaweeds in Jeju Island, Korea

Marine macroalgal community structures and characteristics of ocean environmental factors were examined seasonally at four sites in Jeju Island, Korea, from March to November 2012. A total of 71 macroalgal species were identified, including 9 green, 7 brown, and 55 red algae. Peyssonnelia capensis occurred at all study sites and in all seasons. The average annual biomass of seaweed was 991.84 g wet $wt/m^2$, with seasonal variations from 543.80 g in autumn to 1,284.17 $g/m^2$ in summer. A green alga, Codium coactum, was the dominant species, occupying 21.31% (211.39 $g/m^2$) of the total algal biomass in Jeju Island. Subdominant species were Ecklonia cava and Lithophyllum okamurae, comprising 20.85% (206.75 $g/m^2$) and 19.64% (194.75 $g/m^2$), respectively, of the total algal biomass in Jeju Island. The vertical distribution of subtidal seaweeds was represented by L. okamurae at 5 m depth, C. coactum at 10 m depth, E. cava at 5-10 m depth and P. capensis at the 20 m depth level. In the present study, crustose coralline algae, which predominated on barren ground, were subdominant species at all study sites. Community indices varied between 0.51-0.63 for dominance index (DI), 5.53-8.14 for richness index (R), 0.51-0.63 for evenness index (J'), and 2.04-2.32 for diversity index (H'). On the basis of seaweed biomass and community indices, Sinchang was the best preserved coastal area, showing maximal values in biomass, and evenness- and diversity-indices, and minimal value in the dominance index, representing stable environmental conditions. In contrast, the Onpyung and Topyeong sites, located near tourist venues such as Udo and Seogwipo were relatively poor habitats based on community indices and biomass. The present results could imply that climate changes alter seaweed community structure, and long-term monitoring of the study sites is required.

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