Vertical Distribution and Seasonality of Intertidal Macroalgae on the Coast of Hawon-Pando, Southwestern Korea

Vertical Distribution and Seasonality of Intertidal Macroalgae on the Coast of Hawon-Pando, Southwestern Korea

An overview of the spatial and seasonal patterns of phytobenthic communities is described from the intertidal zone at Hawon-Pando on the southwestern coast of Korea based on quantitative and qualitative estimates of macroalgae. There were considerable variations of macroalgal diversity and cover value with the intertidal levels. Tn general, the number of species decreased with increasing intertidal height. The upper region was dominated by Sargassum thunbergii. S. thunbergii and crustose red algae were dominant in the mid intertidal habitat. In the lower intertidal Corallina pilulifera and crustose red algae were the conspicuous dominants. Macroalgal community structure at Hawon-Pando is discussed in the context of functional-form groups. The Hawon-Pando intertidal is characterized as consisting of a relatively high cover of species assigned to the thick leathery, crustose and jointed calcareous groups, and is distinguished by a paucity of the filamentous group.