PJB-2018-660
Standing stock of seaweeds in submerged habitats along the Karachi Coast, Pakistan: an alternative source of livelihood for coastal communities
Amjad Ali, Saad Malik, Arjumand Z. Zaidi, Naveed Ahmad, Seema Shafique, Muhammad Nouman Aftab and K. Aisha
Abstract
Seaweeds are widely used as an alternate source of livelihood for coastal communities in different countries. Submerged habitats with nutrient-rich coastal waters along the Pakistan coast have rich algal stocks. With few exceptions, studies on seaweeds in Pakistan are mostly confined to intertidal areas. We have conducted preliminary surveys at Buleji, along the Karachi coast to access existing standing stocks of seaweeds. Samples were collected by SCUBA diving. Relative species abundances were determined using quadrat techniques. Overall, 17 species of macroalgae were recorded belonging to 2 major groups (Phaeophyceae 12, Rhodophyceae 5) and 6 families. Except diving site 6, the communities were dominated by Sargassum species. The majority of the recorded species had wide distribution ranges. Distribution patterns were mainly controlled by habitat type, depth, oceanographic conditions, and the nature of the sites. Many of the recorded species are commercially important. It is expected that further underwater surveys will help in exploring more algal beds along this coastline. A sustainable use of this algal biomass can provide an alternative source of income for coastal communities. Moreover, Pakistan has a long coastline with different geomorphic features; in this regard seaweed aquaculture in coastal areas especially near big cities can insert positive ecological impacts on coastal ecosystems as well as on the economic conditions of the coastal communities.
To Cite this article:
Ali, A., S. Malik, A.Z. Zaidi, N. Ahmad, S. Shafique, M.N. Aftab and K. Aisha. 2019. Standing stock of seaweeds in submerged habitats along the Karachi Coast, Pakistan: an alternative source of livelihood for coastal communities. Pak. J. Bot., 51(5): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2019-5(2)
Download
