Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS01 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and the Water Column (Environmental Connections)

Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2001, Time: 4:45:00 PM

Location: Galisteo

Choi, C, I, Department of Earth & Marine Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan, 425-791, Republic Of Korea, cichoi@email.hanyang.ac.kr

Lee, S, Y, Department of Earth & Marince Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan, 425-791, Republic Of Korea, zostera@hanmail.net

Heo, S, , Oceanography Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Pusan, 619-900, Republic Of Korea, sheo@haema.nfrda.re.kr

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS OF ZOSTERA (ZOSTERACEAE) IN KOREA

Distribution, habitat characteristics, and ecology of the genus Zostera (Zosteraceae) were not fully examined in Korea. Distribution and plant morphology of Zostera were investigated along the coasts of Korean Peninsula from 1998 to 2000. Five species of the Zostera, Z. marina, Z. asiatica, Z. caespitosa, Z. caulescens, and Z. japonica were found along the coasts, and included three endemic species, Z. asiatica, Z. caespitosa and Z. caulescens. The habitats of these species were grouped into three different types based mainly on growing depth. Z. asiatica was found in the deepest water, and Z. marina, Z. caespitosa and Z. caulescens in the subtidal zone. Z. japonica was mainly distributed in the intertidal zone. Z. caespitosa was newly reported for Korean coastal water in this study. The most abundant species, Z. marina showed significant morphological variations, which were probably due to the environmental factors such as water temperature and/or underwater light conditions. The seagrass beds substrata of these species were well-sorted over fine sand and muddy sand. Variety and abundance of Zostera beds were considered to be extremely important for production enhancement and conservation of coastal and estuarine ecosystems in Korea.

This Session Listing

Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

Quicklinks