SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF SARGASSUM VACHELLIANUM IN COASTAL WATERS OF NORTHERN ZHEJIANG TYPICAL ISLANDS

In order to prove up the spatial distribution patterns of Sgassum vachellianum in Northern Zhejiang nearshore typical reefs, investigations were conducted on three reef belts with 12 reefs from the end of May to the beginning of June, 2016. Researchers carried out vessel-mounted observations and collected samples with SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) to find out and compare the differentia of horizontal and vertical distribution features of S. vachellianum in adult stages. The results showed that (1) at the area scale, water environment with high turbidity and high wave energy inhibited the growth and spread of S. vachellianum which could merely be found on the second narrow reef belt. According to the growth characteristics of minimum appropriate water temperature with 10℃, it can be inferred that the northernmost island of Zhoushan Archipelago is the northernmost spread limit of endemic S. vachellianum to China. (2) At the site scale, the factor of wave exposure might explain the reason why S. vachellianum were sparse in southeast and were rich in northwest of reefs. The average height of S. vachellianum was only 26.3 cm on the four reefs of the second reef belt, which indicates high wave energy is not suitable for its growth. (3) Within the site scale, the North Yushan Island on the second reef belt was with lowest turbidity so that S. vachellianum were widespread, which could even be found in depth of 6.4 m. However, coastal waters with high turbidity withheld vertical distribution of S. vachellianum. As the result showed the average height of S. vachellianum decreases with depth, which can be inferred that S. vachellianum were intolerance of intense light, but light is a major factor for its distribution. Compared with the vertical distribution of Sargassum horneri in this region, S. vachellianum were adaptive to the environment with high turbidity and high sediment. Therefore, the change of inhibited water environment has driven S. vachellianum to the edge of extinction. By studying the causes of the spatial distribution of S. vachellianum, the decline of algae fields and the trend of variation, the conclusion can be drawn that S. vachellianum are suitable for artificial transplantation in Northern Zhejiang coastal area. The findings can provide meaningful references for the protection and restoration of algae fields.