Reconciling vertical and horizontal variability in Sargassum populations for improved environmental monitoring

The genus Sargassum C. Agardh (Phaeophyceae) and other fucoids are important focuses of worldwide research owing to their ecological role and value as indicators of environmental quality. Sargassum species are among the most common habitat-forming macroalgae in shallow subtidal rocky habitats along...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied phycology 2020-02, Vol.32 (1), p.717-728
Main Authors: Carneiro, Ivan Monclaro, Paiva, Paulo Cesar, Bertocci, Iacopo, de Széchy, Maria Teresa Menezes
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Biology
Biomass
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Climate change
Depth
Ecology
Economics
Environmental impact
Environmental monitoring
Environmental quality
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Habitats
Laboratories
Life Sciences
Plant Physiology
Plant Sciences
Populations
Sargassum
Seaweeds
Variability
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Summary:The genus Sargassum C. Agardh (Phaeophyceae) and other fucoids are important focuses of worldwide research owing to their ecological role and value as indicators of environmental quality. Sargassum species are among the most common habitat-forming macroalgae in shallow subtidal rocky habitats along the Brazilian coast. Understanding patterns of variation in Sargassum populations at multiple scales is essential to determine monitoring designs. The aim of this study was to answer three main questions, using Ilha Grande Bay as a case study: (1) Which are the relevant scales of horizontal variability in cover and density of Sargassum populations? (2) Are horizontal patterns consistent across depth?, and (3) Should small depth differences be included in monitoring designs for shallow Sargassum populations? These issues were addressed through a sampling program including five horizontal scales: area (2000–6500 m apart), island (500–1000 m apart), site (100–350 m apart), point (3–10 m apart), and quadrat (0.4–3 m apart). The same approach was repeated at two depths (1.0–2.0 m and 3.5–4.5 m). Quadrat, point, and site were identified as relevant scales of variability for all variables, although patterns of horizontal variability were not consistent through depth. These findings suggest that both small-scale vertical and small to intermediate-scale horizontal variations (up to 10 m and ~ 300 m, respectively) should be included in monitoring programs of Sargassum populations. Ultimately, this has technical and economic implications for management and conservation initiatives focused on such important habitat formers.
ISSN:0921-8971
1573-5176
DOI:10.1007/s10811-019-01882-x