Primary production of seagrass <i>Cymodocea serrulata</i> and its contribution to productivity of Amini atoll, Lakshadweep Islands

Abstract

Primary productivity of two adjacent atolls of Lakshadweep islands differing in the presence of <i>Cymodocea serrulata</i> (R.Br.) Aschers beds as measured from the diurnal oxygen curve was compared. Amini atoll which sustains extensive beds of seagrass vegetation showed 65 per cent more productivity than the nearest atoll Kadamat which is totally lacking seagrass vegetation. The net primary production of <i>C. serrulata</i> was measured to be 6.4 g C.m^-3.d^-1 and this was 6 times more than that of the phytoplankton alone. High rate of production of oxygen by Cymodocea beds during intensive photosynthesis is discussed in the light of oxygen budget of the atoll.