Trophic Structure and Biomass Distribution of Macrobenthos on Sheltered and Semi-Exposed Rocky Shores of Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area

The Katalalixar National Reserve (KNR) lies in an isolated marine protected area of Magellan Sub-Antarctic channels, which represent an important area for marine biodiversity and macroalgal conservation. The present study is the first report of the species Lessonia spicata, “huiro negro”, in the Magellan Sub-Antarctic channels. This finding has implications for macroalgal biogeography and conservation concerns in the Chilean coast. In the ecological assessments of the KNR in 2018 we found populations of L. spicata, specifically on rocky shores of Torpedo Island and Castillo Channel. The morphological identification and molecular phylogeny based on nuclear (ITS1) sequences revealed that these populations of Lessonia are within the lineage of L. spicata of central Chile. This report increases the species richness of kelps for the Magellan Sub-Antarctic Channels from two to three confirmed species (L. flavicans, L. searlesiana and L. spicata), and it also extends the southern distribution range of L. spicata. This species has high harvest demand and is moving towards southern Chile; thus, these populations should be considered as essential for macroalgal conservation in high latitudes of South America.

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Species diversity and status of key marine habitats in Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area, Quang Nam province

Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ Biển ◽

10.15625/1859-3097/15078 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 201-213

Author(s):

Long Nguyen Van ◽

Tuan Vo Si ◽

Vu Nguyen Van

Keyword(s):

Coral Reefs ◽

Protected Area ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Good Condition ◽

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Rocky Shores ◽

Seagrass Beds ◽

Soft Bottom ◽

Marine Habitats ◽

Submerged Reefs

In recent years, several studies relating to assessments of marine biodiversity conducted in the Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area. However, the data and information from these studies have not been synthesized. This study was based on analyses of data and information from 22 sites of coral reefs, ten sites of rocky shores, five sites of seagrass beds, eight sites of Sargassum beds, and four sites on soft-bottom communities conducted in 1994, 2004, 2008, 2016 and 2017. A total of 976 species belonging to 223 families of 9 common groups (330 species corals, 277 species of fishes, 156 species mollusks, 91 species seaweeds, 71 species of polychaetes, 24 species crustaceans, 22 species of echinoderms and five species of seagrasses) were found. Coral reefs supported the highest number of species (779 species) compared to that of the soft- bottom (135 species), seagrass beds (124 species), and rocky shores (58 species). In general, most of the coral reefs and seagrass beds were not in good condition, with a low mean cover of hard corals (24,8 ± 15,7%) and of seagrasses (11,9 ± 11,6%). Densities of target macro-invertebrates and fishes with large sizes and high value were extremely low, giving exception of a high density of large fishes of fusiliers, snappers, emperors, rabbitfishes, queenfishes, barracuda) found at Bai Dau Tai, Bai Bac, Hon Mo, Hon Tai and the submerged reefs (Ran La, Ran Manh).

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Rocky shores of a major southern African Marine Protected Area are almost free from intertidal invertebrate alien species

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v56i1.1206 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hanlie Malherbe ◽

Michael Samways

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Protected Area ◽

Rocky Shore ◽

Marine Protected Area ◽

Marine Conservation ◽

Current Status ◽

Rocky Shores ◽

Western Cape ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

Marine Alien Species

A major threat to marine ecosystems is the establishment and proliferation of invasive alien species. This study addresses gaps in our knowledge regarding marine alien invertebrate species in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBR) and adjacent Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Western Cape of South Africa, together a potentially important area for south-coast marine conservation. Understanding the distribution and geographical expansion of these species is critical for conservation planning. A quantitative systematic survey of the intertidal rocky shore region was undertaken. The mytilid Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and the bryozoan Watersipora subtorquata were the only alien species recorded along the coastline, which included the MPA. The abundance of M. galloprovincialis was significantly higher outside the MPA, and the abundance of W. subtorquata was significantly higher inside the MPA. With only two alien species recorded, the Betty’s Bay MPA and its surroundings support relatively few marine alien species with regards to rocky shore invertebrate biodiversity. Conservation implications: It is important that the Betty’s Bay MPA and its adjacent coastline maintain its current status as an area with relatively few marine alien species. The conservation implications on management require routine surveys of this region to detect early introductions of any additional species.

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