• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.513-523
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• 2013

This ecological study was conducted to analyze seasonal variation characteristics of Zostera marina at HAENAM SAGUMI on the Southern Coast of Korea. Environmental characteristics, plant morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, and leaf production were monitored from August 2008 to March 2011. Zostera marina occurred in the subtidal zone from 0 to 2.5 m below the mean low water level. Water temperature showed a clear annual pattern, with increase in spring and summer, and decreases in fall and winter. Irradiance showed seasonal variation, even though daily weather condition has short-term variation in the incident irradiation. Plant morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, and leaf production showed clear seasonal variation. Seasonal variation in the above biomass of Zostera marina was mainly caused by changes in shoot length. We found that there are correlations between environmental characteristics (water temperature, irradiation) and the growth of Zostera marina. There is stronger correlation between water temperature and the growth of Zostera marina, compared to the correlation between irradiation and the growth of Zostera marina. In particular, the growth of Zostera marina is inhibited by both higher and lower water temperature.