Abstract
This paper presents the study on the development of HSI (Habitat Suitability Index) model having been designed for tropical seagrass species inhabiting Awase Tidal Flat in the Island of Okinawa. The primary parameters employed for formulating the HSI model were water depth, diameter of sediment grains, shear-stress along the seabeds and Shields parameter. These parameters were selected among factors governing habitat conditions by conducting multiple regression analysis. The results of modeling showed that the distribution of HSI values, which was illustrated using the minimum SI (Suitability Index) value for each parameter (Limiting Factor Method), corresponded well with the seagrass coverage by visual observation.
