Distribution of algae and seagrasses in the estuaries and backwaters of Tamil Nadu and Pondichery

Resources survey of algae and seagrasses in 63 estuaries and backwaters existing from Madras to Athankarai in Tamil Nadu and Pondichery was made during 1988-89. Among these water bodies, only 44 supported vegetation. Totally 36 species of algae belonging to 23 genera under the groups Chlorophyta, Phaeoph~ta,R. hodophyta and Cyanophyta, and 5 species of seagrasses belonging to 3genera were recorded from these estuaries. The agar yielding seaweeds Gracilaria arcuata and G. verrucosa and carrageenan yielding seaweed Hypnea valentiae occurred in harvestable quantities in some estuaries.