Abstract
Macroalgae play a vital role in marine ecosystems, but human effects are threatening the composition and structure of algal communities. In the present investigation, the spatial and temporal variations of species composition, functional groups and percentage macroalgal cover were studied in relation to seasonal fluctuations of some physicochemical parameters, to determine the ecological status of macroalgae in coastal waters along the coast of the northwestern part of the Red Sea, from November 2020 to October 2021. Fifty-five species of macroalgae were collected and identified from the sites studied. Five functional groups of macroalgae were recognized. Among these were two turf-forming species, 34 species of upright fleshy algae, and three crustose algae. There was a large variation in the cover, as well as in the species richness and assemblage structure of the macroalgae in different sites and seasons. Seasonal changes, determined by environmental conditions, led to small changes in macroalgal cover at different sites, with the growth of some brown macroalgae suppressed by high sea temperatures, whereas some green and red macroalgae, increased in response to increasing temperature and salinity.
About the authors
Sarah H. Rashedy is a post doctoral researcher at National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. She received her PhD in marine botany at Faculty of Science, Botany Department, and Suez Canal University. Her research is particularly focused on the diversity and ecophysiology of macroalgae, in relation to climate change and degradation of the coastal ecosystem.
Samia M. El-Mahdy is a researcher at Fish Population Dynamics Lab, the Fisheries Branch affiliated with the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt. She received her Ph.D. in fish biology and fisheries management at the Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, and Assiut University in the division of Fish Biology. Her research focuses on fish biology, taxonomy, fish stock assessment, population dynamics, fisheries management and ecological relation of fishes with macroalgae.
Islam M. El-Manawy is a professor emeritus of marine algae. His research focused on the taxonomy and ecology studies of marine algae in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, studies of marine algae invasions of new environments and invasion triggers, covering the gap and updating information on algal biodiversity, marine algae natural resource assessment studies, and assessment of the quality of marine freshwater sources.
Leonel Pereira has a degree in biology (scientific branch) and a PhD in biology (cell biology specialty) from the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra (Portugal), where he is currently a professor. He is an investigator integrated in MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre). His interests are focused on marine biodiversity (algae), marine biotechnology (bioactive compounds of macroalgae) and marine ecology (environmental assessment). Since 2008 he is the author and editor of the electronic publication MACOI – Portuguese Seaweeds Website (http://macoi.ci.uc.pt/). He recently received the King D. Carlos Award (18th edition) and the CHOICE Award Winner 2016. Outstanding academic title: Edible Seaweeds of the World.
-
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
-
Research funding: None declared.
-
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
References
Aleem, A.A. (1978). Contributions to the study of the marine algae of the Red Sea. I – the algae in the neighborhood of Al-Ghardaqa, Egypt (Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyta and Phaeophyceae). Bull. Fac. Sci., King Abdulaziz. Univ. 2: 73–88.Search in Google Scholar
Ansari, A.A. (2016). Seasonal dynamics in the relative density of aquatic flora along some coastal areas of the Red Sea, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Egypt. J. Aquat. Res. 42: 273–280, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2016.06.001.Search in Google Scholar
APHA (2005). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 21st ed. American Public Health Association: Washington DC, USA.Search in Google Scholar
Ateweberhan, M., Bruggemann, J.H., and Breeman, A.M. (2006). Effects of extreme seasonality on community structure and functional group dynamics of coral reef algae in the southern Red Sea (Eritrea). Coral Reefs 25: 391–406, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-006-0109-6.Search in Google Scholar
Bahartan, K., Zibdah, M., Ahmed, Y., Israel, A., Brickner, I., and Abelson, A. (2010). Macroalgae in the coral reefs of Eilat (Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea) as a possible indicator of reef degradation. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 60: 759–764, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.11.017.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Bouilloux, A., Valet, J.P., Bassinat, F., Joron, J.L., Dewilde, F., Blanc-Valleron, M.M., and Moreno, E. (2013). Influence of seawater exchanges across the bab-el-mandeb strait on sedimentation in the southern Red Sea during the last 60 ka. Paleoceanography 28: 675–687, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013pa002544.Search in Google Scholar
Coppejans, E. and Beeckman, T. (1990). Caulerpa (Chlorophyta, Caulerpales) from the Kenyan coast. Nova Hedwig 50: 111–125. https://doi.org/10.1127/nova.hedwigia/50/1990/111.Search in Google Scholar
Diaz-Pulido, G. and McCook, L.J. (2008). Effects of nutrient enhancement of the fecundity of a coral reef macroalgae. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 317: 13–24, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2004.11.013.Search in Google Scholar
Diaz-Pulido, G., McCook, L.J., Larkum, A.W.D., Lotze, H.K., Raven, J.A., Schaffelke, B., Jennifer, E., J.E., and Steneck, R.S. (2007). Vulnerability of macroalgae of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change. In: Johnson, J.E. and Marshall, P.A. (Eds.), Climate change and the Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority & Australian Greenhouse Office, Townsville, pp. 153–192. ISBN 9781876945619.Search in Google Scholar
Einav, R., Guiry, M.D., and Israel, Á. (2021). A revised list of seaweeds from the Red Sea (1756–2020). Isr. J. Plant Sci. 68: 175–247, https://doi.org/10.1163/22238980-bja10036.Search in Google Scholar
El-Manawy, I.M. (2008). The spatial variability of macroalgal communities and their functional groupings on the fringing reefs of Ghardaqah, Egypt. Egypt. J. Phycol. 9: 55–69, https://doi.org/10.21608/egyjs.2008.114810.Search in Google Scholar
El-Manawy, I.M. and Shafik, M.A. (2000). Ecological and morphological studies on genus Caulerpa from the Egyptian Red Sea coasts. Egypt. J. Phycol. 1: 71–86, https://doi.org/10.21608/egyjs.2000.113219.Search in Google Scholar
El Shoubaky, G.A. and Kaiser, M.A. (2014). Monitoring spatial and temporal seaweeds variation using remote sensing data in Al-shoaiba coast, Red Sea. Br. J. Environ. Clim. Change 4: 2231–4784, https://doi.org/10.9734/bjecc/2014/10034.Search in Google Scholar
Fahmy, M.A., Abdel Fattah, L.M., Abdel-Halim, A.M., Aly-Eldeen1, M.A., Abo-El-Khair, E.M., Ahdy, H.H., Hemeilly, A., El-Soud, A., and Sheridan, M. (2016). Evaluation of the quality for the Egyptian Red Sea coastal waters during 2011-2013. J. Environ. Prot. Sci. 7: 1810–1834, https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2016.712145.Search in Google Scholar
Forsskål, P. (1775). Descriptiones animalium avium, amphibiorum, piscium, insectorum, vermium; quae in itinere orientali observavit Petrus Forskål. Prof. Haun. Post mortem auctoris edidit carsten niebuhr. Mölleri, Hauniae, Copenhagen, p. 140.Search in Google Scholar
Guiry, M.D. and Guiry, G.M. (2022). Algaebase: listing the World’s algae, Available at: https://www.algaebase.org/ (Accessed 27 July 2022).Search in Google Scholar
Harley, C.D.G., Anderson, K.M., Demes, K.W., Jorve, J.P., Kordas, R.L., Coyle, T.A., and Graham, M.H. (2012). Effects of climate change on global seaweed communities. J. Phycol. 48: 1064–1078, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2012.01224.x.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Ibraheem, B.M., Alharbi, R.M., Abdel-Raouf, N., and Al-Enazi, N.M. (2014). Contributions to the study of the marine algae inhabiting Umluj seashore, Red Sea. Beni-Suef Univ. J. Basic Appl. Sci. 3: 278–285, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjbas.2014.11.001.Search in Google Scholar
Issa, A.A., Hifney, A.F., Abdel-Gawad, K.M., and Gomaa, M. (2014). Spatio temporal and environmental factors influencing macroalgal β diversity in the Red Sea, Egypt. Bot. Mar. 57: 99–110, https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2013-0107.Search in Google Scholar
Kepel, R.C., Lumingas, L.J.L., Tombokan, J.L., and Mantiri, D.M.H. (2019). Biodiversity and community structure of seaweeds in Minahasa Peninsula, North sulawesi, Indonesia. Aquac. Aquar. Conserv. Legis. 12: 880–892.Search in Google Scholar
Mohamed, N.A., Ibraheem, I.B., and Mohamed, S.H. (2006). Seasonal occurrence and variation in macroalgal populations in Hurghada, Safaga and Qusier coasts of red-sea, Egypt. Proc. 4th Int. Con. Biol. Sci. (Botany), pp. 189–197.Search in Google Scholar
Naser, A.H. (1947). Synopsis of the marine algae of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Bull. Fac. Sci-Egypt. Unvi 26: 1–155.Search in Google Scholar
Neumann, B., Ott, K., and Kenchington, R. (2017). Strong sustainability in coastal areas: a conceptual interpretation of SDG 14. Sustain. Sci. 12: 1019–1035, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-017-0472-y.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Odum, E.P. (1971). Fundamentals of ecology, 3rd ed. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, p. 574. ISBN 13: 9780721669410.Search in Google Scholar
Oza, R.M. and Zaidi, S.H. (2001). A revised Checklist of Indian marine algae. Government of India, New Delhi, p. 296.Search in Google Scholar
Papenfuss, G.F. (1968). A history catalogue and bibliography of Red Sea benthic algae. Isr. J. Bot. 17: 1–119.Search in Google Scholar
Raitsos, D.E., Yi, X., Platt, T., Racault, M.F., Brewin, R.J., Pradhan, Y., Papadopoulos, V.P., Sathyendranath, S., and Hoteit, I. (2015). Monsoon oscillations regulate fertility of the Red Sea. Geophys. Res. Lett. 42: 855–862, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014gl062882.Search in Google Scholar
Rasser, M. and Piller, W.E. (1997). Depth distribution of calcareous encrusting associations in the northern Red Sea (Safaga, Egypt) and their geological implications. In: Proc. 8th Int. Coral Reef sym., Vol. 1, pp. 743–748.Search in Google Scholar
Rasul, N.M.A., Stewart, I.C.F., and Nawaz, Z.A. (2015). Introduction to the Red Sea: its origin, structure, and environment. In: Rasul, N. and Stewart, I. (Eds.). The Red Sea. Springer Earth System Sciences, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 1–28.10.1007/978-3-662-45201-1_1Search in Google Scholar
Rayss, T. (1959). Contribution à la connaissance de la flore marine de la Mer Rouge. Bull. Sea Fish. Res. Sta. Haifa 23: 1–32.Search in Google Scholar
Rayss, T. and Dor, I. (1963). Nouvelle contribution a la connaissance des algues marine de la Mer Rouge. Bull. Sea Fish Res. 34: 11–42.Search in Google Scholar
Sahoo, D. (2001). Seaweeds of Indian coast. A.P.H. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, p. 283.Search in Google Scholar
Schaffelke, B. and Klumpp, D.W. (1997). Biomass and productivity of tropical macroalgae on three nearshore fringing reefs in the central Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Bot. Mar. 40: 373–383, https://doi.org/10.1515/botm.1997.40.1-6.373.Search in Google Scholar
Shabib, M., El-Taher, A., Mohamed, N.M.A., Madkour, H.A., and Ashry, H.A. (2021). Assessment of radioactivity concentration of natural radionuclides and radiological hazard indices in coral reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 329: 1199–1212, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07896-5.Search in Google Scholar
Smith, J.E., Shaw, M., Edwards, R.A., Obura, D., Pantos, O., Sala, E., Sandin, S.A., Smriga, S., Hatay, M., and Rohwer, F.L. (2006). Indirect effects of algae on coral: algaemediated, microbe induced coral mortality. Ecol. Lett. 9: 835–845, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2006.00937.x.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Tait, L.W. and Schiel, D.R. (2013). Impacts of temperature on primary productivity and respiration in Naturally structured macroalgal assemblages. PLoS One 8: e74413, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0074413.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Villaça, R., Fonseca, A.C., Jensen, V.K., and Knoppers, B. (2010). Species composition and distribution of macroalgae on Atol das Rocas, Brazil, SW Atlantic. Bot. Mar. 53: 113–122, https://doi.org/10.1515/bot.2010.013.Search in Google Scholar
Weiss, A. and Martindale, R.C. (2017). Crustose coralline algae increased framework and diversity on ancient coral reefs. PLoS One 12: e0181637, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181637.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Zanardini, G. (1858). Plantarum in mari rubro hucusque collectarum enumeratio. Memorie R. Ist. veneto Sci. 7: 209–309, pls 3–14.Search in Google Scholar
© 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
