Species diversity and biomass of macroalgae in different seasons in the northern part of the Persian Gulf

This study examined macroalgae present in the northern Persian Gulf (Iranian waters) from 28° 59'N and 50° 54'E to 29° 56'N and 50° 14'E during the years 2013-2014. The study objective was to determine and compare various diversity indices and density of algal species found along the coastal area near Bushehr. Samples were collected from 0.5×0.5 m quadrats. One seagrass and 63 macroalgal species (28 Rhodophyta, 26 Phaeophyta, and 8 Chlorophyta) were identified. Index values ranged 1.41-0.41 (Shannon), 0.74-0.32 (Simpson), and 0.36-0.12 (Pielou, evenness) during different seasons. The mean of biomass of Chlorophyta ranged from 75.28±43.93 g/m2 to 4.98±5.23 g/m2 . Maximum and minimum Phaeophyta density were 306.09±284.43 g/m2 and 10.61±17.94 g/m2 , respectively. Rhodophyta density ranged between 369.36±254.78 g/m2 and 13±13.3 g/m2 . Results indicate that the algal communities of northern Persian Gulf are characterized by poor species richness and low evenness.