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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Harvesting of the kelp Ecklonia maxima in South Africa affects its three obligate, red algal epiphytes
Journal of Applied Phycology, Volume 18, No. 3-5, Year 2006
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Description
In South Africa, more than 7000 t (f wt) of kelp (Ecklonia maxima) fronds are harvested annually to feed cultured abalone. Carpoblepharis flaccida, Gelidium vittatum and Polysiphonia virgata are conspicuous red algal epiphytes on older kelps and provide habitat and food for numerous animals. Over 4.5 y, we examined the effects of one destructive harvest of E. maxima on these 3 epiphytes. Two 20 x 20 m plots of kelp with similar epiphyte loads were demarcated. In one, all E. maxima sporophytes with stipes longer than 50 cm were harvested. The other plot served as a control. After 2.5 y the biomass of E. maxima in the harvested plot had recovered to control levels, but the epiphyte load (g epiphytes. Kg kelp-1) was statistically lower in the harvested plot after 2.5 and 3.5 y, and only recovered after 4.5 y. While most commercial harvesters cut through the "heads" (primary blades) of the kelp, effectively killing them, a new, non-lethal method removes secondary blades 20-30 cm from their bases, leaving the meristems and primary blades intact. At 5 sites studied, G. vittatum and P. virgata were found almost entirely on stipes and primary blades, and harvesting only distal parts of secondary blades limited losses to about 50% of C. flaccida biomass. To protect epiphytes, non-lethal harvesting is recommended and permanent non-harvest zones have been established in addition to limiting kelp yields and disallowing harvesting in Marine Protected Areas. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.
Authors & Co-Authors
Anderson, Robert J.
South Africa, Cape Town
Marine and Coastal Management
Rothman, Mark D.
South Africa, Cape Town
Marine and Coastal Management
Share, A.
South Africa, Cape Town
Marine and Coastal Management
Drummond, H.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Statistics
Citations: 40
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s10811-006-9037-7
ISSN:
09218971
Research Areas
Food Security
Study Locations
South Africa