Mbaga, Wamwi Mgendi2020-04-242020-04-242017Mbaga, W M (2017) Seasonal variation and vertical zonation influences accumulation of biochemicals in two seagrass species along the coast of Dar es salaam , Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaamhttp://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/10087Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QK495.C979M3252)The present study assessed the influence of seasonal variation and vertical zonation on biochemical accumulation in seagrasses Cymodocea rotundata and Thalassia hemprichii at Mjimwema seagrass meadows. Seagrass samples both below (rhizome and roots) and above ground parts (leaves) of both species were collected from shore and subtidal zones in rainy (April – May, 2016) and dry (June – July, 2016) seasons. The concentration of crude protein, soluble carbohydrates, phosphorus, crude fat, and proline were determined following standard procedures for the respective biochemical component. Results showed that, the concentration of crude protein was significantly higher (F = 9.18, P = 0.028) in dry season compared to wet season. Likewise significant variation in concentration of crude protein was observed between zones (F = 4.71; P = 0.031) being higher at the shore than at the subtidal zone. Furthermore, the mean (± SE) concentration of proline, crude fat, and carbohydrate were significantly higher during dry season than wet season. Phosphorus content did not vary significantly between the seasons as well as between the zones (Anova P > 0.05). With exception to crude fat content which was significantly higher in C. rotundata 2.45 ± 0.13 µmol/g than in T. hemprichii 1.98 ± 0.12 µmol/g, there was no significant difference in biochemical accumulation between the studied seagrass species. Of all biochemicals studied, proline accumulated the most while phosphorus had the least concentration in both seasons. Thus due to its higher and rapid accumulation, proline is a potential candidate to be used as one of the early warning indicator of the environmental perturbations in seagrass meadows. The finding of this study indicates that, allocation of the studied biochemical in seagrass species were up-regulated during dry season but also differs depending on the condition of the environment where they grow. Both season change and zonation played role in biochemical accumulation in the seagrasses studied here however not interactivelyenCymodoceaceaSeagrassesThesis