Etude d’une population de l'algue brune Padina pavonica (L) Lamouroux a Cap Zebib (nord de la Tunisie)

Abstract

A population of the brown alga Padina pavonica has been studied in the locality of Cap Zebib (North of Tunisia) between September 2000 and August 2001. Abiotic factors (temperature ,salinity , oxygen ) and biotic ones (weight, height, diameter, biomass, and fertility) were carried out . The results showed that temperature varied between 12°C (February) and 24.5 °C (July). Salinity has recorded a little variation during the year .Oxygen ranged between 4.4 mg/l( March) and 10mg/l (November).Padina pavonica changed monthly . The weight ranged between 0.39g (February) and 18.8 g (August) . Minimum and maximum height were recorded respectively in January (2.07 cm) and September (7.3 cm) . Diameter varied between 1.32 cm (December) and 8.9 cm (August) . Concerning the biomass, we have recorded the highest one in June (3925g/m2) . This value let us estimate the quantity of Padina about 20 T . The fertility of Padina ranged between 0% (February ) and 100% (July and August) . These results show that Padina pavonica grows and reproduces particularly in spring and summer.