Primary production of seagrass Cymodocea semlata and its contribution to productivity of Amini atoll,Lakshadweep Islands

Primary productivity of two adjacent atolls of Lakshadweep islands differing in the presence of Cymode cea serrulata (R.Br.) Aschers beds as measured from the diurnal oxygen curve was compared. Arnini atoll which sustains extensive beds of seagrass vegetation showed 6S0/0 more productivity than the nearest atoll Kadamat which is totally lacking seagrass vegetation. The net primary production of C. serrulata was measured to be 6.4 g C.m-3.d-' and this was 6 times more than that of the phytoplankton alone. High rate of production of oxygen by Cymodocea beds during intensive photosynthesis is discussed in the light d oxygen budget of the atol