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Algal Turf Composition at Two Coastal Locations on the Island Of Hawai'i
Author(s) -
Stuercke B.,
McDermid K. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-3646.2003.03906001_158.x
Subject(s) - quadrat , transect , biology , algae , reef , ecology , abundance (ecology) , oceanography , geology
Algal turfs, or mats of interwoven multispecific algal 1–3 cm in height, play an important role in the reef community in Hawai'i, and yet they are often overlooked. Two sites on opposite coasts of the island (Richardson's Beach Park and Puako) were sampled from September 2000 to July 2002. The samples from quadrats along transect lines were analyzed to find percent abundance of each species. Specimens were examined microscopically to generate a species list. Over 50 different species of algae were identified, and red algae (Rhodophyta) dominated the samples at both sites. Several new records for the island of Hawai'i were found. Algal turf species diversity (H') varied between sites and among sampling dates. The most abundant species showed aggregated or patchy spatial patterns in the turf.