Exploring the use of rocky shore macroalgae as indicators of environmental condition

Abstract

We attempted to use macroalgae to discriminate between seven sites around the Maltese Islands displaying different water quality. The study focused on the macroalgal communities from the mediolittoral to upper infralittoral zones, since these assemblages can be easily accessed from the shore. The results obtained showed that distinct macroalgal assemblages inhabit the selected sites and that the assemblage at the reference site was the m0.51 dissimilar. Interannual variation in macro algal assemblage .51ructure at each site was minimal. All taxonomic levels considered (genus, order, family, class and phylum) were able to distinguish between sites. Chlorophyll a content, water turbidity and dissolved phosphates were the physico-chemical parameters that discriminated between sites.