Seagrass, Algae and Sponge Communities

Of a total of fifteen identified areas, nine were designated as being of ecoregion importance, five of subregional importance, one was unknown and one was not assigned any rank (see table below). All sites had extensive seagrass, algae and / or sponge beds, but sites ranked as being of ecoregion importance had higher diversity than sites of subregional importance. Other factors used in the ranking process were the relative importance of sites as breeding and/or feeding areas for threatened species (especially the dugong and turtles) and other species including birds. It was also noted that southern sites had a greater prevalence of algae compared to those in the central and northern areas. Pemba Island (Tanzania) was identified as being of importance for its diversity of sponges. Four of the identified areas were cross border areas: Lamu-Kiunga (Somalia and Kenya), Gazi Bay-Tanga (Kenya-Tanzania), Mtwara-Pemba (Tanzania-Mozambique) and Maputo Bay-Greater St. Lucia (Mozambique-South Africa). Site identification and ranking of sites were constrained because of lack of information on these communities and shortage of specialists within the ecoregion in general and at the workshop in particular.

Summary of important seagrass, algae and sponge community sites

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