Spatial and temporal distribution of floating kelp in the channels and fjords of southern Chile

Numerous studies suggest that floating macroalgae contribute to population connectivity of the algae themselves as well as of associated organisms. In order to evaluate the importance of floating macroalgae for population connectivity in southern Chile we analysed their spatial and temporal distribu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Estuarine, coastal and shelf science coastal and shelf science, 2010-04, Vol.87 (3), p.367-377
Main Authors: Hinojosa, Iván A., Pizarro, Matías, Ramos, Marcel, Thiel, Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Brackish
Brackish water ecosystems
Channels
Coastal
connectivity
Density
Durvillaea
Fjords
floating algae
Freshwaters
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Macrocystis
rafting
retention zone
Springs
Synecology
Temporal distribution
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Summary:Numerous studies suggest that floating macroalgae contribute to population connectivity of the algae themselves as well as of associated organisms. In order to evaluate the importance of floating macroalgae for population connectivity in southern Chile we analysed their spatial and temporal distributions. We estimated the abundance of floating kelp in the Interior Sea of Chiloé and the Los Chonos Archipelago via ship surveys conducted during austral spring (November) and winter (July) of the years 2002–2005. Highest densities of floating kelp ( Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica) were found during spring. Generally, the density of floating kelp was relatively low in areas with high supply of freshwater, and highest abundances were found in large channels opening to the open ocean. We suggest that this pattern is caused by the scarcity of natural kelp beds combined with rapid degradation of floating kelp in the interior fjords and by seaward surface outflow. The maximum densities of floating kelps were found in an area known to be an extensive convergence zone (i.e. estuarine front), which appears to act as a retention zone. In accordance with this distribution pattern, we propose that connectivity between local populations via floating kelp is higher in the outer channels with oceanic influence than in the inner fjords with high freshwater influx.
ISSN:0272-7714
1096-0015
DOI:10.1016/j.ecss.2009.12.010