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This paper reports microhabitat preferences of Phaeophyta from the shore platform, Dwarka, Gujarat coast, India. Macroalgae distribution was tagged with shore platform’s zonal morphology. Macroalgae (Phaeophyta) were surveyed based on systematic random sampling for two years (April, 2013 to March, 2015). Total 21 species of Phaeophyta were identified through intensive fieldwork/in situ survey based on Line Intercept Transect and Quadrate based methods. Five groups of Phaeophyta were identified as per their zonal preference on the shore platform. On family level, most of the Sargassaceae showed a ubiquitous distribution on the shore platform while Dictyotaceae showed preference towards the subtidal and intertidal mixed zone of the shore platform.

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Tropical coral reefs are major habitats for marine macroalgae or seaweeds. Macroalgae represent a key functional group among the coral reef communities and perform vital ecological functions like reef structure stabilisation, production of tropical sands, nutrient retention and recycling, primary productivity and trophic support. Coral reef macroalgae are comprised of three major pigment-group-based phyla: Chlorophyta (green algae), Heterokontophyta or Ochrophyta (brown algae) and Rhodophyta (red algae). Green macroalgae or Chlorophyta contain chlorophyll a and b pigments in the same proportion as that of higher plants along with β-carotene and xanthophylls and have significant industrial or commercial value. Chlorophyta members commonly inhabit the littoral zone with strong sunlight. This chapter highlights micro-level habitat preference of green macroalgae or Chlorophyta species sampled from Bet Shankhodhar Reef from the Gujarat coast of India as a unique case study. This study identifies four Chlorophyta species: Halimeda tuna (Ellis & Solander) Lamouroux, Caulerpa sertularioides (S. Gmelin) Howe f. brevipes (J. Agardh) Svedelius, Valonia aegagropila C. Agardh and Valoniopsis pachynema (Martens) Børgesen, as indicator species of the backreef zone. Shallow tidal pools in the backreef zone of Bet Shankhodhar Reef are preferred microhabitats for C. sertularioides and V. aegagropila.