RESEARCH ARTICLE

UNNOTICED SEAWEEDS CONTAINING MANGROVE FORESTS IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Seaweeds are marine macroscopic, photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms also identify as any marine plants but especially the red (Rhodophyta) brown (Phaeophyceae) and green (Chlorophyta) algae living in or by the sea. The aim of this paper is to ascertain the unnoticed seaweed ecosystems containing mangrove forests in Sri Lanka and the extremely importance of seaweeds as primary producers along the shore. Past published and un-published written sources and other related to seaweeds and mangrove ecosystem were used for this study and a literature based review has been performed to identify the specific seaweeds in mangrove ecosystems in Sri Lanka. Three main communities that containing seaweeds have identified in Sri Lanka: seaweed vegetation, seagrass beds and mangrove forests. (Eric Coppejans et al) Mangrove forests mainly occur around lagoons and in estuaries. Some macro algae (Caulerpa spp) developed in the mangrove tide channels, some are in the silty pools in the mangrove vegetation (Chaetomorpha spp, Ulva species) others on the aerial roots and basis of the tree trunks. (Species of Laurencia, Caloglossa, Murrayella). These algae are rather small and covered by sediment layer they often go unnoticed. Based on data from the literature, Silva et al. (1996) mention 455 taxa belonging to 410 species and 161 genera for Sri Lanka. When concerning the importance of seaweeds ecosystem and association of mangrove ecosystem in Sri Lanka it is timely important to ascertain and identify specific seaweeds containing in mangrove ecosystem.

Keywords: algae, ecosystem, mangrove, primary producer, seaweeds

How to Cite: Gunathilaka,M.D.K.L, (2016). UNNOTICED SEAWEEDS CONTAINING MANGROVE FORESTS IN SRI LANKA.WILDLANKA, 4(4):Pages 169-180

Published On:2016-12-31

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