Macroalgal Community Structure on the Rocky Shores of Ongdo, Jusamdo, and Woejodo Islands of the Yellow Sea, Korea

Abstract

The benthic algal community structures of the seaweed biomass, vertical distribution of dominant seaweeds, and species composition were examined on the rocky shores of Ongdo, Jusamdo, and Woejodo Islands, Korea, in August 2006. A total of 68 seaweeds were identified, comprising 5 green, 11 brown, and 52 red algae from the three study sites. The number of species at Ongdo (32 species) was less than that at Jusamdo (45 species) and Woejodo (44 species). Jusamdo exhibited the maximum seaweed biomass (73.99 g dry <TEX>$wt/m^2$</TEX>), while the minimum value was found at Woejodo (36.90 g dry <TEX>$wt/m^2$</TEX>). On the three islands, coarsely branched forms were the most dominant functional group in terms of species number and biomass among benthic algal species. The dominant species were Gelidium amansii, Chondrus ocellatus, and Chrysymenia wrightii at Ongdo, Sargasum thunbergii, Ulva pertusa, and Sargassum fusiformis at Jusamdo, and U. pertusa, Undaria pinnatifida, and Corallina pilulifera at Woejodo. Perennial seaweeds were abundant at Ongdo (G. amansii and C. ocellatus) and Jusamdo (S. thunbergii and S. fusiformis), whereas the sheet form of U. pertusa was relatively abundant at Woejodo Island.