Methee Keawnern

• Biodiversity Journal, 3 (3): 229-236

  Nidsaraporn Petsut, Anong Chirapart & Methee Keawnern
  A stability assessment on seasonal variation of seaweed beds in the Trat peninsula of Thailand

  ABSTRACT
  Species diversity, biomass and distribution pattern of seaweed beds in the Trat peninsula, east coast of Thailand, were investigated in relation to environmental conditions from January to December 2011. The macroalgal samples and environmental factors were collected monthly; covering cool-dry (January-February, November-December), hot-dry (March-April) and rainy (May-October) seasons at four sampling stations; Ao Cho, Ao Lane, Laem Tien and Laem Sok. A total of 26 taxa of marine benthic algae were recorded, of which 16 species of red marine algae were the most diverse group. It was found that Catenella nipae, Gracilaria salicornia, Gelidium pusillum, Hydropuntia changii, Hypnea hamulosa, Kyrtutrix maculans, Laurencia decumbents, Lyngbya majuscula, Peyssonnelia rubra and Ulva clathrata were the most abundant throughout the sampling period. The highest number of marine flora species was obtained in March (25 species), whereas the lowest in June (12 species). Algal biomass had a maximum value in April (59.50 g/m² dry weight) and minimum value in July (20.14 g/m² dry weight).

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