Kaleidoscopic Intertidal Diversity Profile of Marine Macro Algae of Majali and Tilmati Beaches, Karwar, West coast of India
*1Gulnaz Qureshi and 2J.L. Rathod
Department of Studies in Marine Biology, Karnatak University, Post Graduate Centre, Kodibag, Karwar-581303 (India) *1Author for corresspondence Afreensyed115@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Majali is a hamlet in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka, India situated in coastal region called Kanara amidst Goa-Karnataka border. The village is a tourist destination for the beaches of Karwar, including Tilmati Beach ‘‘BLACK SAND BEACH” which supports a huge habitat for growth of Macroalgae. Seaweeds are economically as well as ecologically important source of Marine ecosystem.In this study, diversity and distribution of seaweeds along rocky shores of south Karwar coast has been examined. Samplings were carried out for Pre Monsoon, South West Monsoon and Post Monsoon at both the stations, in accordance to the environmental parameters during study period. A total of 40 species were collected from Majali and 23species from Tilmati throughout study period with the absence of Ulva and Chaetomorpha species, excessive algal growth of Brown algae and invasive Caulerpa species at Tilmati station.Temporal variability in various diversity indices were calculated by using PAST software. The work highlights upon the influence of environmental parameters as well as the geomorphological pattern of the rocky shore (boulders and Gravel bed) on composition and survival of seaweeds withstanding the submergence and emergence of the tidal amplitude. An updated checklist and distribution of seaweeds is mentioned with rocky shore analysis.