Patterns of Algal succession in a Sargassum thunbergii (Phaeophyta) Dominated Rocky Intertdal Community

Algae > Volume 9(1); 1994 > Article

Algae 1994;9(1): 59-66.

Young Hwan Kim, Jong Su Yoo

Department of Biology, Chungbuk National University, Department of Biology, Seoul National University

ABSTRACT

The colonization and succession of benthic marine algae on a perturbated Sargassum thunbergii-dominated rocky intertidal community have been examined at Muchangpo, western coast of Korea. Surfaces were sterilized by burning after clearing. Destructive methods were employed bimonthly to measure biomass as well as species composition. Over 30-mo period, a total of 43 species of algae (5 blue-green, 5 green, 14 brown and 19 red algae) was found in permanent quadrats. Perennial species such as Sargassum thunbergii and Corallina pilulifera were found in the permanent quadrats within first four months. Number of marine algal species displayed little seasonality in species number. Production of S. thunbergii was significantly greater in the upper tidal zones than in the lower. Within 6 months in both seasonal clearance, biomass of S. thunbergii occurred in the upper zones nearly reached the initial biomass levels prior to clearance. However, those of the sower zones reached the initial biomass levels only after two years. Differences in biomonthly fluctuation of biomass proportion of S. thunbergii and other algae were also observed among tidal levels. It is assumed that the difference in the successional pattern between tidal levels is due to the interspecifc competition.

Key words: Sargassum thunbergii, intertidal community, perturbation, recolonization, succession