Biomass and densityofthalassia testudinum beds in mochimabay, Venezuela

a spatial study about the variations of biomass and density of thalassia testudinum was made in four localities of mochima bay, northeastern coast of venezuela. between january and december 2002 eight replicate samples were taken monthly, with a core 15 cm in diameter, and the sediment was sieved through a 0.5 mm opening mesh. temperature and salinity average were = 27.82 ± 1,26 and = 37.09 ± 0,86 respectively. the monthly density of thalassia shoots ranged from 45 ind.m-2 (september) to 507 ind.m-2 (january) ( = 160.64 ± 136.38 ind.m-2). anova showed significant variations of abundance within the months (f = 9.643, p < 0.001) and localities (f = 9.532, p < 0.001). highest values of density and biomass were obtained in mangle quemao and ensenada de reyes and the lowest in toporo. in this last one, the low density and biomass could be attributed to greater abundance of epiphytes on their leaves