Seagrass
ecosystem and algal resource:
The
Gulf of Mannar area is rich for sea grass.The species composition of seagrass
community include Enhalus
acoraides, Halophila ovalis, Halophila ovata, Halophila beccari, Halophila stipulacea,
Thalassia lemprichii, Cymadocea serrulata, Cymadocea rotundata, Halodule uninervis,
Syringodium isoetifolium etc
. In Gulf of Mannar, the seagrass beds are the ideal feeding ground for the endangered
marine mammal, Seacow Dugong dugon. Numerous
seaweeds are found in Gulf Mannar. The total productive area estimated is aound
10,000ha, with a standing of more than 18,000 tons. The common seaweeds found
here are Ulva, Sargassum, Gelidiella,
Gracilaria, Caulerpa, Halimeda, Padina, Hypnea, Turbinaria, Chondrococcus,
etc.
