Abstract
The vertical distribution and population structure of eelgrass beds were surveyed in Iwachi Bay, along the Pacific coast of central Japan. Samplings were conducted from May through November 1977 by SCUBA. Eelgrass was distributed between 3 and 11 m in depth. The relative light intensity at 12 m depth was 11% at the lower range. The highest population density was 290 shoots/m2 in September and the fresh weight of biomass was 888 g/m2 in July at 7 m depth. The maximum mean leaf area index was about 3 at 10 m depth in July. The ratio of reproductive shoots to the total shoots was about 36% at 7 m depth in June. Eelgrass showed good growth at 7–10 m depth, which is comparatively deeper than other eelgrass habitations. The high values of water transparency and sunshine duration, as well as solar radiation compared with other localities was believed to contribute to the growth of eelgrass in deeper waters in Iwachi Bay.
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