Assessment of seagrass biomass and coastal land forms along palk strait

Abstract

Present study was made an attempt to assess the onshore seagrass biomass and off shore seagrass deposition. Maximum total biomass of <i>Cymodocea serrulata</i> (571.2±78.94 g.dry wt/m²) and <i>Syringodium isoetifolium</i> (240 ± 24.92 g.dry wt/m²) were recorded in Thondi during the month of December-2011. Maximum total biomass of <i>Halodule pinifolia</i> (145.6 ± 57.41 g.dry wt/m²) and <i>Halophila ovalis</i> (142.4 ± 21.83 g.dry wt/m²) were recorded in Manamelkudi during the month of December-2011. Several seagrass parameters <i>viz</i>., above ground biomass, below ground biomass, canopy height, percentage coverage, above and below ground biomass ratio were also examined in this study. Maximum deposition of <i>Cymodocea serrulata</i> (10.73±0.08 Kg.dry wt/m²) and <i>Syringodium isoetifolium</i> (7.93±0.03 Kg.dry wt/m²) were recorded at Thondi coastal area during the month of May-2012. The survey provides enormous information on the seagrass biomass and seagrass deposition along the Palk Strait coast.