Zostera noltii (Hornem, 1832)

Zostera noltii imageSynonyms: Zostera nana Roth.

Common names: Rom: Iarba de mare; Russ: Vzmornik maliy; Turk: Ince deniz otu.

Order (Scientific): HELOBIALES.

Family (Scientific): POTAMOGETONACEAE.

Taxonomic description: Thin, branched rhizome stem 10-40 cm long. Narrow linear leaves, 5-20 (30) cm long, 0.5-2 mm broad, having 1-3 main nerves and 3-4 secondary nerves and emarginate point. Non-thickened peduncle under the sheat. Ear 1.5 cm long, having (3) 6-12 flowers. Ripe fruit completely smooth - VI-VIII.

Zostera noltii arealIUCN Status:
    World level:
    Black Sea Regional level:
    Subregion level: VU

Distribution:

Habitats type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors: Rocky and sandy bottoms of sea and littoral lakes. Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea, Karacum. Species belonging to arctic-northern area. Increasing turbidity; human exploitation (by fishermen).

Biology: Besides the utilization mentioned for the previous species, it is used as a substitute for artificial wool. It contains 14% proteins and 2.1% fats and can be used as food for swine.

Population trends: On the Romanian littoral, on the sandy-muddy bottoms in the Mamaia-Midia, Agigea and Mangalia zones, there were belts of this phanerogam till 1975-1980. Severe reduction after the hydrotechnical works for harbour building.

Threats: Exploitation, increasing turbidity causing diminution of light penetration.

Conservation measures taken: None.

Conservation measures proposed: Reduce pollution from coastal point sources.

References:

  1. Bavaru A., Bologa A. S., Skolka H. V., 1991 - A checklist of the benthic marine algae (except the Diatoms) along the Romanian shore of the Black Sea. Rev. Roum. Biol. - biol. veget., 36, 1-2, 7-22.
  2. Bologa A. S., 1987-88 - Annotated bibliography on the macrophytobenthos along the Romanian Black Sea coast (1881-1986). Cercetari marine, 20/21, 353-384.
  3. Bologa A. S., 1979 - Present state of seaweed production along the Romanian Black Sea shore. Vie Milieu, 39, 2, 105-109.
  4. Bologa A. S., Bodeanu N., Petran A., Tiganus V., Zaitsev Yu. P., 1995 - Major modifications of the Black Sea benthic and planktonic biota in the last three decades. Bull. Inst. oceanogr., Monaco, no. special 15, 85-110.
  5. Savulescu T., Nyarady E. I. (Eds.), 1966 - Flora R.S. Romania,vol.XI, Ed. Acad. RSR, Bucuresti; 876.

Compiled by: A.Bologa, A.Bavaru, B.Öztürk.