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Distribution and diversity of marine flora in coral reef ecosystems of Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep archipelago, Arabian Sea, India

DRS at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography

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Title Distribution and diversity of marine flora in coral reef ecosystems of Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep archipelago, Arabian Sea, India
 
Creator Desai, V.V.
Komarpant, D.S.
Jagtap, T.G.
 
Subject aquatic plants
flora
geographical distribution
species diversity
coral reefs
check lists
dominant species
 
Description The coral reef of Kadmat Island of Lakshadweep was assessed for its biological components along with relevant hydrological characteristics. Corals were represented by 12 species, the most dominant being Acropora and Porites. The distribution of coral was mainly confined to the reef slope and fore reef; however, the cover was very poor except for a few patches on the fore reef towards northwest (less than 10%). The lagoon and reef flats were almost devoid of corals. The low counts (0-80 x 10 sup(3) cells l sup(-1)) and poor composition (11 spp.) of phytoplanktons could be due to oligotrophic waters around the island. The high contents of dissolved oxygen (DO) might be due to photosynthetic activities of macrophytes in the lagoon. Seagrass meadow occupied only 0.14 km sup(2) area of the lagoon leaving 98% of it barren. It was more prominent in the mid- and landward region of the lagoon due to fine and well-sorted thick sediment. Seagrass flora was comprised of two species and was dominated by Cymodocea rotundata. Biomass was estimated to be more (26-30.5 g m sup(-2) dry weight) during premonsoon season. The marine algae were represented by 23 spp. and mainly occurred in the seagrass beds but contributed negligibly to the biomass. Acanthophora spicifera, Padina boergesenii and Jania capillaceae were common during premonsoon season. Sand-dune flora was represented by 39 spp. of which 16 spp. were perennial. The most dominant forms were Spinifix littoreas and Ipomea pes-caprae. The sand-dune region is under constant threat of reclamation for cultivation of vegetables and dwellings. Poor composition, particularly of corals, indicated that the reefs around Kadmat Island were converting into algal or detrital reefs
 
Date 2008-07-18T05:07:22Z
2008-07-18T05:07:22Z
2003
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Atoll Research Bulletin, Vol.506; 1-23p.
http://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/1219
 
Language en
 
Rights Copyright [2003]. It is tried to respect the rights of the copyright holders to the best of the knowledge. If it is brought to our notice that the rights are violated then the item would be withdrawn.
 
Publisher Smithsonian Institution