Spatial and Temporal Variations in Diversity and Percentage Cover of Macroalgae at Sirinart Marine National Park, Phuket Province, Thailand

Anchana Prathep*

ABSTRACT: Diversity, distribution and percentage cover of macroalgae on the coastline of Sirinart National Park, Thailand were studied both in the wet and dry seasons. The study was carried out on sheltered, moderately exposed and very exposed sites. Three hundred and sixty 50 cm X 50 cm quadrats were investigated. Of the more than thirty species of macroalgae found, Laurencia spp. and Padina spp. were the most common at all sites. The richest algal community, with more than eighteen species, was at the lower level of semi-exposed shore during the dry season (April 2003). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in percentage cover of seventeen macroalgal species with respect to degree of wave exposure, shore elevation, season and their interactions (P<0.05). High wave motion during the wet season was likely to play an important role in determining species diversity and the composition of macroalgae at the site. The highest diversity was found on the semi-exposed shore during the dry season, when the sea was rather calm. Surprisingly, there was greater percentage cover in the wet season, when less photosynthesis and growth were expected due to less light intensity than in the dry season, this study provides baseline data for future ecological studies and long term monitoring of macroalgal communities on tropical shores. This is the very first study of macroalgal ecology in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

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Seaweed and Seagrass Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.

* Corresponding author, E-mail: anchana.p@psu.ac.th

Received 9 Aug 2004, Accepted 18 Apr 2005