3.1.3. Diversity
Species diversity had a similar pattern to richness with higher values
observed closer to the lagoon mouth and lower values at the lagoon head
(Fig. 3.1C). Klein Oesterval exhibited the highest species diversity
(2.40) followed by Centre Banks (2.28), Oesterval (2.05), and Geelbek
(1.81) – diversity was lowest at Bottelary (1.47). These differences
were significant across sites (F = 4.20, p = 0.004)
attributed mainly to differences in mean diversity between Bottelary and
Centre Banks, and Bottelary and Klein Oesterval (Tukey HSD, p =
0.006). Seasonal differences in diversity were also significant
(F = 6.54, p = 0.001) as well as the interaction between
site and season (F = 2.70, p = 0.004) indicating
variations in diversity between warmer and cooler months (Tukey HSD,p < 0.05).