Distribution of Ulva prolifera, the dominant species in green tides along the Jiangsu Province coast in the Southern Yellow Sea, China

Abstract

Green tides have long occurred in the Yellow Sea for 17 years, with 5S-II Ulva prolifera being the dominant species. Previous studies indicate the Neopyropia aquaculture area in Jiangsu to be the main source of green tides in the Southern Yellow Sea. Little is known regarding the occurrence of this species in coastal dykes in Jiangsu Province. We investigated the species composition, diversity, and biomass of green macroalgae in these dykes during 2022 using internal transcribed spacers and 5S rDNA and identified U. prolifera, Ulva linza, Blidingia spp., Ulva meridionalis, Ulva torta, Ulva flexuosa, Ulva compressa, Ulva aragoensis, Ulva australis, and Ulva simplex. Ulva prolifera occurred in every month of the survey. Species diversity was highest in October, and the Ulva spp. biomass was highest in February. Attached 5S-II U. prolifera occurred in the coastal dykes in February, April, and June 2022. Dyke characteristicsand elevations may affect the biomass and species of Ulva spp. observed. Green tide blooms in the Yellow Sea have enabled 5S-II U. prolifera to colonize the Jiangsu coast dykes.