Productivity of the coral reef alga Halimeda gracilis Harv. ex. J.Ag. Minicoy island, Lakshadweep

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the morphology and productivity of Halimeda gracilis from 3 locations of Minicoy Island. The estimated percentage cover of H. Gracilis were 32.6% on the reef, 10.9% on the shore reef and 17.3% on the seagrass beds. Halimeda in scagrass beds had the highest biomass of 1339.2 g/m2 followed by the shore reef with 1256.0 g/m2 and the lowest biomass at the reef (420.8 g/m2). The length of Halimeda gracilis varied between 4.5 cm at the reef and 8.5 cm in scagrass beds but the weight showed only slight variation. Length weight reintionship of Halimeda gracilis indicated least variable morphology at reef and lagoon. Plants collected from seagrass beds in the lagoon showed highest productivity of 0.64 g C/m2 / day while the lowest production of 0.08 gC/m2/day was recorded from the shore reef. Environmental parameters such as temperature salinity dissolved oxygen and nutrients were monitored at the three stations.