Succession of Benthic Algal Community in Dock Marine Ecosystem Perturbated by Red Tide

Algae > Volume 14(3); 1999 > Article

Algae 1999;14(3): 181-187.

Jong Su Yoo, Young Hwan Kim, In Kyu Lee

Environmental & Energy Research Center, Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology. School of Life Science, Chungbuk National University. Department of Biology, Seoul National University

ABSTRACT

Succession and community structure of benthic marine algae of Inchon Dock, and enclosed artificial dock in the western coast of Korea, were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 52 species was identified in this area: 22 blue-greens, 15 greens, 7 browns and 8 reds. Species composition and biomass of benthic algal community in Inchon Dock were quite different from the rocky shore community. Dominant species determined by biomass and frequency was polysiphonia morrowii, and subdominant species was Lyngbya semiplena and Lyngbya lutea. During the study, benthic algal community was perturbated completely by red tide(causative species: Mesodinium rubrum, ciliate) in June 1990, and recolonization process had begun thereafter. As a result, the succession pattern of benthic algal community of closed dock marine ecosystem staged at channelling succession phase. It was concluded that a normal community structure could be attained after 10 months since the ecosystem was disturbance. Succession pattern was revealed as a seasonal cyclic succession. Multiple regression analysis was applied on benthic algal species and associated physico-chemical environmental factors in Inchon dock, Among the 15 factors, water temperature, precipitation, salinity, nitrite-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen appeared to be important environmental factors for the distribution of benthic algae.

Key words: artificial dock, benthic algal community, cyclic succession