Contribution of Seagrass Ecosystems to the Venezuelan Coastline Vegetation

Abstract

The distribution of Thalassia-dominated ecosystems is closely connected to mangrove ecosys- tems as is the case in large areas of the Caribbean. In this paper we describe the geographical distribution of the ecosystems in Venezuela and provide detailed lists of associated phanerogams, macroalgae and faunal groups. Some ecological values and problems of the systems are discussed.