Ecological research of marine fouling in Dongshan Bay,China

The investigation of marine fouling assemblages on a series of artificial test panels in Dongshan Bay was conducted from September 2008 to August 2009.A total of 102 species were identified and dominated by Ulva fasciata,Pennaria disticha,Haliplanella luciae,Saccostrea cucullata,Brachidontes variabilis,Amphibalanus reticulates,Podocerus brasiliensis,Elasmopus pecteniclus,Stenothoe valida,Caprella equilibra and Sinoflustra amoyensis etc.The fouling organisms were mainly composed of coastal and warm water affinities and the settlements occurred throughout the year,particularly from April to October.The average biomass on the monthly test panels was 979.43 g/m2.The maximum value reached 11 799.00 g/m2 in summer.The multivariable statistical analysis showed that the biodiversity of the fouling community on seasonal test panels was the highest in summer and the lowest in winter.With extending the panel deployment period,the biodiversity indexes increased and community structure tends to be more stable also.