The Depth Distribution of Dominant Species of Macrophytes in the Northwestern Part of the Tatar Strait

Abstract

This paper investigates the depth distribution patterns of bottom vegetation dominants in the western Tatar Strait (within Khabarovsk Krai). Materials were collected during SCUBA diving surveys performed by the Khabarovsk Branch of the Pacific Research Fisheries Center. The vegetation cover, in the presence of suitable bottom substrates, is formed to depths of 18–22 m and is replaced below by sparse settlements. The abundance indices of most of the dominant species remain relatively stable within depths of 2–20 m. Their ecological optima, as a rule, occur at depths of 2–6 m with increased hydrodynamics. A scheme of the vertical division of vegetation in the area is proposed that corresponds to the results of previous studies on phytal zoning. The location of vegetation horizons and strata is not different from those previously identified, while their boundaries are blurred and correspond to the continuous live cover distribution.