A study on the community structure of subtidal marine algae in Kijang, Korea

A subtidal marine benthic algal vegetation at Kijang, the southern east of Korea was investigated to clarify the community structure and the pattern of geographical distribution by a quadrat method along a transect line between February 2006 and January 2007. Total 59 species including 6 of green algae, 14 of brown algae, 39 of red algae were collected and identified. Among these species, 14 species were found throughout the year. Annual mean biomass in wet weight of total vegetation, maximum biomass was recorded in winter and spring seasons, and decreased in summer season. Dominant species was Prionits cornea in terms of biomass, and subdominant species were Phycodrys fimbriata and Gelidium amansii. Coarsely branched form was the most abundant accounting 64.4% of the total value. Seasonal variations in algal biomass were principally linked to fluctuations in biomass of coarsely branched and thick leathery form algae. The R/P, C/P and (R+C)/P value reflection flora characteristics were 2.79, 0.43 and 3.21, respectively. Two groups produced by cluster analysis, one including sites Duho, Dongbaek and the other including sites Seoam, Mundong, showed meaningful difference in similarity, each other. In conclusion, the number of marine algae species in Kijang was reduced comparing with the previous studies.