• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.362-372
• /
• 2011

The relationships among total epiphytes, algal epiphytes and eelgrass ($Zostera$ $marina$ L.) were studied at eelgrass medows from July, 1998 to July, 1999 in Yulim-ri, Yeosu, Korea. Epiphytic diatoms on eelgrass leaves were observed from July to December 1998. From the results of this study, we inferred the following three (3) conclusions : 1) As eelgrass grew older, biomass of epiphytes increased, according to relationships between the leaf length and area of eelgrass and biomass (DW, AFDW and Chl. $a$) of epiphytes. 2) According to the ratio of dry weight, ash-free dry weight and Chlorophyll of epiphytes, the algae with calcareous or siliceous skeletons, such as coralline algae or diatoms, were dominated in the epitphytic algae community. 3) The autotrophic index (AI) calculated from AFDW and Chl. $a$ of epiphytes varied from 151 to 375. However, the period of autotrophic community was shorter than heterotrophic community and the value of AI was high. From these results, we inferred that heterotrophic community, including detritus or microorganisms were dominated in the most of research period.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.70-77
• /
• 2003

From March 1998 to August 2000, the phenological and morphometric changes of Zostera marina L. were examined at the Duksan Port in the eastern coast of Korea. Morphometric characteristics, phenological stage, shoot density, biomass of Z. marina population and environmental parameters were also measured. Nutrient levels in water column varied over the season. Morphometric characteristics of vegetative shoot changed with season; shoot heights ranged from 54.2 cm (March) to 100.0 cm (October). Reproductive shoots appeared from mid-March to early September of which the height was ranged from 97.8 cm (March) to 213.0 cm (July). The flowering phase started at 12$^{\circ}C$ and the fruit development was resulted up to 21$^{\circ}C$. The seed maturing was developed at 22$^{\circ}C$-$25^{\circ}C$. Shoot density and biomass in permanent quadrate (0.25 m$^2$) were significantly different among seasons ranging from 38 to 136 shoots (mean 80.3$\pm$6.5) for shoot density, and 190 g dry wt m$^{-2}$ in October 1998 to 922 g dry wt m$^{-2}$ in June 1998 for biomass respectively. Relationships between shoot morphometrics and physico-chemical parameters were not significantly correlated. Seasonal changes in water temperature seemed responsible for the replacement of reproductive phases and the annual changes of shoot morphometrics in Z. marina populations.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.89-97
• /
• 2010

To test the feasibility of using chlorophyll ${\alpha}$ fluorescence to assess the establishment success of seagrass transplants, photosynthetic characteristics of eelgrass Zostera marina transplants were measured using a Diving-pulsed amplitude modulation fluorometer in Jindong Bay on the southern coast of Korea. Maximum quantum yield ($F_v/F_m$), photosynthetic efficiency ($\alpha$), saturating irradiance ($E_k$) and maximum electron transport rate ($ETR_{max}$) of transplants and reference plants in a nearby transplant site were measured using the fluorometer for 5 months. Additionally, shoot morphology, individual shoot weight and productivity of transplants and reference plants were also monitored. Shoot height, leaf weight and productivity of transplants were significantly reduced during the first two or three months after transplantation compared to those of reference plants, and then increased to the levels of reference plants Characteristics of chlorophyll a fluorescence, including $F_v/F_m$, $\alpha$, $E_k$ and $ETR_{max}$ of transplants were also significantly reduced in the initial period, but recovered slightly sooner than shoot morphology or leaf productivity. These results indicated that after transplantation, Z. marina transplant photosynthesis recovered faster than shoot morphology, biomass or productivity. Thus, chlorophyll a fluorescence can be used as an indicator for early assessment of the status of eelgrass transplants without destructive sampling.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.548-561
• /
• 2019

The surfgrass Phyllospadix japonicus is a dominant seagrass species playing critical ecological roles on the eastern coast of Korea. However, few studies have been conducted on the ecological characteristics of this species, generally due to the turbulent water conditions in its habitat. In this study, to examine the growth dynamics of P. japonicus, we investigated monthly changes in morphological characteristics, density, biomass, and leaf productivity as well as changes in the underwater irradiance, water temperature, and water column nutrient concentrations of its habitat from August 2017 to July 2018. Underwater irradiance and water temperature showed clear seasonal changes increasing in spring and summer and decreasing in fall and winter. Nutrient availability fluctuated substantially, but did not display any distinct seasonal trend. Morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, and leaf productivities of P. japonicus exhibited significant seasonal variations, increasing in spring and decreasing in fall months. Spadix of P. japonicus occurred from March to August, with the maximum spadix percentage(15.8%) occurred in May 2018. The average leaf productivity of P. japonicus per shoot and area were 2.1 mg sht^-1 d^-1 and 7.5 g m^-2 d^-1, respectively. The optimum water temperature for the growth of P. japonicus in this study was between 13-14℃. The productivity of P. japonicus was not correlated with underwater irradiance, water temperature and nutrient concentrations. These results suggest that the study site provide sufficient amount of underwater irradiance, suitable water temperature range and nutrients for the growth of P. japonicus.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.339-346
• /
• 2002

From March 1998 to August 2000, the phonology and morphometrics change of Zostera caespitosa Miki were examined at the Duksan Port in the eastern coast of Korea. Morphometric characteristics (shoot height, leaf length, sheath length, leaf width, and number of leaf per shoot), size and number of reproductive structures (spathe, spadix, and seeds), shoot density, biomass and physiochemical parameters (water temperature and nutrient concentrations) were measured. Significant differences between months (p < 0.05) existed for morphometric characteristics except for sheath length. The sequence of shoot heights clearly showed cyclical annual variation with water temperature. Vegetative shoots of Z. caespitosa were present throughout the year, but reproductive shoots were rarely occurred from mid January to early April in water temperature of $9-12^\circ{C}$. Flowering in the spathe began in mid February, and seed maturing was occurred in early April. Water column nitrate and phosphate concentration showed seasonal variation, but ammonia concentration was variable with season. Relationships between shoot morphometrics and physiochemical parameters were not significantly correlated but water temperature seemed to regulate the re-productive phase and annual life cycle. The mean shoot density and above biomass of the populations were $511.6\pm{25.6}\;shoots\;m^{-2}$ and $413.4\pm{19.8}\;g\;dry\;wt\;m^{-2}$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.48-60
• /
• 1997

The species composition and seasonal variations of fish community in the Zostera marina belt at the coastal water off Hamduck, northern part of Cheju Island, were analyzed based on day and night samples collected by a small beam trawl from May 1993 to May 1994. The dominant species among the 58 fish species in 35 family were tubesnout, Aulichthys japonicus, gobie, Pterogobius zonoleucus, filefish, Rudarius ercodes, pipefish, Syngnathus schlegeli and sea catfish, Plotosus lineatus. These species comprised 86.1% in the number of individuals and 62% in biomass. The number of individuals and biomass were high between October and December, and low between January and April. About 90% of fishes were noncommercial and small-sized fishes, less than 14cm in total length. The larvae and juvenile fishes were collected in the study area throughout the year. The recruitments of dominant species were related to the seasonal variations of Z. marina utilized as a shelter or feeding ground. A japonicus, P. zonoleucus, Zoarchias glaber and Hexagrammos agrammus recruited between January and June, and R. ercodes, S. schlegeli, P. lineatus and Petroscirtes breviceps between July and December.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2021

This study aimed to determine the monthly fish species composition in the eelgrass bed of Yeocha on Hansando Island, Korea, and to obtain fish species data by comparison with the nearby Bongam. The species composition was determined from monthly samples collected by a surf net from August 2009 to July 2010. During the survey, total 2,394 individuals of 29 species and 10,378 g of fish were collected. The dominant species were Gymnogobius heptacanthus, followed by Takifugu niphobles, Rudarius ercodes, Chaenogobius annularis, and Ditrema temminckii, accounting for 89% of the total individuals sampled and 83% of the fish biomass collected. The fish assemblages in the eelgrass bed varied seasonally; the number of individual fishes increased in May and was highest in July, whereas the biomass attained its highest level in April and subsequently decreased. This study confirms that the seagrass bed plays an important role as a fish nursery ground, and it is necessary to investigate changes in the coastal fishes of the southern coast via periodic surveys.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.615-626
• /
• 2022

This study investigated the habitat characteristics and spawning ecology of Hippocampus haema (Syngnathidae) in Soando Island, Korea, from May 2015 to December 2016. The survey site where seahorses inhabit was mainly formed by seagrass of Zostera marina populations. Total density and biomass (Mean±SE) of Z. marina were the highest at 136±14.4 shoots/m² and 489.8g DW/m², respectively, in spring (May), while the total density was lowest at 93±7.0shoots/m²in autumn (October), and biomass was the lowest and at 122.3g DW/m² in winter (February). During the study period, 293 individuals were identified through a diving and kick net survey, and the total length of H. haema ranged from 10.1 to 87.0mm. Male individuals nurturing fertilized eggs or larvae appeared beginning in May and were collected until October in both 2015 and 2016. Juvenile individuals were captured beginning in July 2015 and June 2016. As a result of a comprehensive analysis of the spawning season characteristics, it was estimated that the spawning season of H. haema was from April to October. The number of fertilized egg or larvae inside the male brood pouch were 38.3±14.8 (20-76), and the number of fecundity identified from female were 47.2±8.6 (31-59). The male-to-female ratio of H. haema was 1:1.7, indicating the dominance of males.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.43-52
• /
• 2015

The growth and population dynamics of eelgrass (Zostera marina) due to changes in sediment composition were examined in the lower intertidal zone of the Seomjin Estuary, Korea. We surveyed environmental factors such as water temperature, underwater irradiance, main types and organic content of sediment, tidal exposure, and nutrient concentrations in the water column and sediment pore water, in relation to the shoot density, biomass, morphological characteristics, and growth of Z. marina inhabiting lower intertidal zones. The survey was conducted monthly from May to December of 2004 and 2009. The water temperature showed obvious seasonal trends in both study years. Underwater irradiance was significantly higher in 2009 than in 2004. Tidal exposure was not significantly different between 2004 and 2009. The sediment was muddy-sand in 2004 but became sandy and with a significantly lower organic content in 2009. Water column $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations were significantly higher in 2004 than in 2009. Sediment pore water $NO_3{^-}+NO_2{^-}$ concentrations were significantly higher in 2009 than in 2004. Other nutrient concentrations did not differ significantly between 2004 and 2009. Morphological characteristics, including eelgrass length and leaf width were significantly lower in 2009 than in 2004. Eelgrass shoot height, leaf length, and sheath length showed typical seasonal patterns, increasing in early summer and decreasing in autumn, in both years. Vegetative shoot density was not significantly different between 2004 and 2009, while the biomass of individual plant parts and the total biomass were significantly lower in 2009. Eelgrass leaf productivity did not differ between years, but leaf turnover time was significantly shorter in 2009 than in 2004. Eelgrass downsizing and decreased turnover time in 2009 compared to 2004 indicate more effective adaptations to the stress of long-term changes in sediment composition. Overall, results suggest that changes in sediment composition can be a limiting factor for seagrass growth in the intertidal zone.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.28-41
• /
• 2024

The carbon balance serves as a valuable indicator of a plant's physiological status under diverse environmental conditions. We investigated the photosynthetic and respiratory responses of the Asian surfgrass Phyllospadix iwatensis along the northeast coast of the Korean peninsula in response to changing water temperature (ranging from 5℃ to 30℃) to estimate the seasonal whole-plant carbon balance through a series of incubation experiments. The maximum gross photosynthetic rate (P_max) showed a significant difference among the temperature treatments, while there was no significant difference in photosynthetic efficiency (α). The maximum gross photosynthetic rate of P. iwatensis reached its peaks at 20℃ treatment (101.65 μmol O₂ g^-1 DW h^-1) but decreased rapidly at 30℃. The saturation irradiance (I_k), compensation irradiance (I_c), and respiration rate (R) of P. iwatensis exhibited significant differences among the temperature treatments. The saturation irradiance increased up to 20-25℃ (121.59-124.50 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1) and sharply decreased at 30℃. The compensation irradiance and respiration rate increased steadily with rising water temperature. The ratio of P_max to R (P_max:R ratio) was the highest at 5℃ but dramatically decreased at 30℃. The whole-plant carbon balance, calculated based on photosynthetic parameters, respiration rates, and biomass, exhibited distinct seasonal variation, increasing during winter and spring and decreasing during summer and fall, which is consistent with the highest in situ growth in spring and severely limited growth at the highest water temperature conditions. Phyllospadix iwatensis displayed a negative carbon balance during late summer, fall, and winter, but demonstrated a positive carbon balance during spring and early summer. Our findings suggest that the rising seawater temperatures associated with climate change may lead to significant alterations in the seagrass ecosystem functioning along the rocky shores of the Korean east coast.