A Preliminary Floristic Survey of the Benthic Marine Algae of Rotuma Island

Study Extent

Rotuma, Fiji

Sampling

An initial survey of the island was carried out, from January to May 1992. A further survey was conducted from December 1992 to February 1993, with additional specimens collected between September 1993 and January 1994, and between November 1994 and January 1995.

Method steps

1. A preliminary visual survey of the coastline was carried out, and 19 representative sites around the island were chosen for inspection. Surveys were carried out either by wading or snorkelling. Considering the sparse distribution of the algae, and the turbulent and exposed conditions on the often very narrow fringing reefs, it was deemed impractical to lay transects. Instead, the area was visually inspected for algal growth, with salient distribution and reef profile features being recorded on an underwater writing board. Owing to the exposed nature of the reefs and the lack of diving facilities and trained partners, it was considered dangerous to sample subtidal habitats. Consequently, all collections were from the intertidal region, imposing obvious limitations on the overall results obtained.
2. Photographs of algae in situ and of the general habitats were taken using an Olympus 35 mm camera and a Pentax SLR variable-focus camera. Algal specimens were hand-collected or scraped off the substratum using a knife, put into polyethylene plastic bags or vials, promptly preserved in 5% formaldehyde in seawater, and stored in light-proof plastic containers for eventual shipment back to Fiji.

Rotuma, Fiji