The Current Status of Upper Subtidal Communities of Macrophytes in Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan

Subtidal communities of macrophytes in Vostok Bay have been studied in a depth range of 0.5–3.0 m. A map of their distribution in the coastal zone of the bay has been composed. Variations in the composition of the macrophytic communities and biomass of the dominant species have been recorded. No significant changes in the flora have occurred since the late 20th century. However, the macrophytobenthos structure has undergone gradual changes. From the 1970s to the 2020s, the coenotic role of Coccophora langsdorfii decreased, beds of Saccharina japonica, Silvetia babingtonii, and Saccharina angustata reduced, Agarum clathratum disappeared, and the biomass of Desmarestia viridis significantly increased. The variations observed may reflect the effects of global climatic and local anthropogenic factors, as well as natural succession processes.