Spatial variation in early patterns of algal recruitment in a tropical intertidal community

Spatial variation in the patterns of early algal recruitment in a tropical intertidal shore was tested among different degrees of wave exposure and shore elevation levels. Algal recruitment showed a simple pattern. An ephemeral green alga, Ulva paradoxa was the early colonist that had high coverage and Padina in Vaughaniella stage and Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa were late successional algae that had very low coverage. This might be because Ulva is an opportunist pioneer species that reproduces all the year round with a large numbers of motile gametes and has a fast colonization, while those two species are slower colonizers. The degree of wave exposure and shore elevation level had no significant effect on the percentage covers of three dominant algae. However, the plots cleared at the exposed shore had the lowest percent cover of three algal species and algal species diversity, because the arrival and settlement of new recruits were influenced by wave action and absence of a stable and suitable substrate