1 - Cochin University of Science and Technology

('!/{If'/a :!, A/a/('rials allil M('/hods
Gracilaria, Caulerpa, Acanthophora, etc. were extensively seen in this
region (Plate 2. 2. a).
Station 4. Northern Syringodium bed
This site was located on the northwest side of the Island almost 200
m away from the high tide mark into the lagoon and the vegetation wass
mainly constituted by Syringodium spp. of seagrass. This area was also
partly protected by large coral conglomerates. Substratum was sandy with
coral fragments and gastropod shell remnants. Coarse sand was observed
in this region due to the weaker trapping ability of Syringodium roots (Plate
2.2. b)
Station 5. Mangrove site bordered by Cereops faga/
This site was located on the southwestern side of the Island near the
helipad. The area was flushed daily by the tide and the depth of water in
the embayment varies from 0.25 to 1.75m. This site was near to the bund
to facilitate exchange of water and the banks were bordered by Cereops
tagal (Plate 2.3. a).
Station 6. Mangrove site bordered by A vicinnia marina
This site was located on the southwestern side of the Island, slightly
away from the bund (water channel from the lagoon) and the banks were
bordered by Avicinnia marina, a typical mangrove tree (Plate 2.3. b).
Different species of seagrass from the study area are given in Plate 2.4
2. 4. Sampling methods
2. 4. 1. Water: Water samples were collected from the surface using a
plastic bucket every month during low tide from all the stations for the
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