Abundance, diversity and nutritional composition of seaweeds in the selected locations of vondalous bay, pasikuda in Sri Lanka

The present study focused on the distribution, diversity, and nutritional composition of seaweeds in the Pasikuda region of Vandalous Bay, Sri Lanka. The study revealed a dominance of Phaeophyta, which accounted for the highest cover percentage (52%), followed by Chlorophyta (46%) and Rhodophyta (2%). Among the species identified, Padina minor exhibited the highest cover percentage (52.4%), with Halimeda opuntia (26.27%) and Caulerpa racemosa (11.44%) as the next most abundant species. The average abundance of Phaeophyta was calculated as 1.57, confirming their prevalence in the region. Nutritional analysis highlighted variations in moisture, ash, lipid, and carbohydrate content across different seaweed species. The results indicate that future research could explore the dietary potential of these species, with a focus on health and safety considerations. The findings underscore the ecological significance of seaweeds in the Pasikuda region and the necessity of sustainable management to address threats such as pollution, overfishing, and tourism. Future studies should aim at long-term monitoring of anthropogenic impacts and formulating preservation strategies. This study provides critical insights into seaweed biodiversity and nutritional potential, paving the way for further investigations into their sustainable utilization as marine resources.