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

• Published in: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
• Main Authors: Hinojosa Toledo, IA, Pizarro, M, Ramos, M, Thiel, M
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Academic Press Ltd Elsevier Science Ltd 2010
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Environmental Science and Management; Conservation and Biodiversity; Austral; Chonos; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2009.12.010; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/88863

Numerous studies suggest that floating macroalgae contribute to population connectivity of the algaethemselves as well as of associated organisms. In order to evaluate the importance of floating macroalgaefor population connectivity in southern Chile we analysed their spatial and temporal distributions. Weestimated the abundance of floating kelp in the Interior Sea of Chiloe and the Los Chonos Archipelago viaship surveys conducted during austral spring (November) and winter (July) of the years 20022005.Highest densities of floating kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica) were found duringspring. 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 thispattern is caused by the scarcity of natural kelp beds combined with rapid degradation of floating kelp inthe interior fjords and by seaward surface outflow. The maximum densities of floating kelps were foundin an area known to be an extensive convergence zone (i.e. estuarine front), which appears to act asa retention zone. In accordance with this distribution pattern, we propose that connectivity betweenlocal populations via floating kelp is higher in the outer channels with oceanic influence than in the innerfjords with high freshwater influx.