Daisy parsons

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D. E. M. Parsons / J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol.

Baseline Investigation into Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt Distribution in the Fal and its commercial potential.

Daisy Elizabeth Minnie Parsons 11 Oak Ridge, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0LD Falmouth Marine School, Killigrew Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3QS

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ABSTRACT Sagassum muticum is an invasive brown macro algae which was believed to have been originally introduced to British waters in imported oyster spat from Japanese oysters during the 1970’s. Due to the species ability to survive for long periods as a floating mass with no holdfast and to reproduce by releasing fertile fronds S. muticum has become widespread throughout British waters. Surveys undertaken around the Fal Estuary in Cornwall have located areas where S. muticum is present, research gathered in the effects of S. muticum on localized biodiversity of seaweeds and an insight into the species commercial potential. The study found S. muticum to only be present in the entrance of the Fal, particularly at Castle Beach, with some rock pools displaying up to 96% coverage. The Fal is an important habitat for BAP species of maerl; Lithothamnion coralloides and Phymatolithon and Eel grass Zostera marina. Were the species to encroach further into the Fal these protected ecosystems could be threatened.

Keywords; Sargassum muticum, invasion, biodiversity, macro algal assemblages, Falmouth

__________________ E-mail address: daizyed@gmail.com (D. E. M. Parsons).


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