CHARACTERIZATION OF SEAGRASS BED HABITAT AND ITS EFFECT ON BENTHIC FAUNA

Abstract

Characterization of Zostera japonica habitat and its effect on benthic fauna were studied. The large seasonal change in aboveground biomass of Z. japonica was observed, though the belowground biomass did not change seasonally. Organic matter in seagrass sediment was higher than that in nearby non-seagrass sediment and positively correlated with the above and below ground biomass of Z. japonica. Species abundance and richness of Polychaete and Crustacea in the seagrass beds were significantly higher than those in non-seagrass area. These results suggested that detritus supplied by blighting the belowground biomass of Z. japonica, and precipitated by wave attenuation due to the increase of above biomass of Z. japonica, became foods for benthic animals and led to increase richness and variety of benthic fauna.