Fucoid seaweeds on the Russian Arctic coast: using traditions and ecological monitoring

Abstract

In recent years, harvest and cultivation of marine biological resources, including commercial seaweeds, has increased significantly. The task of this research was the ecological monitoring of commercial fucoid seaweeds beds in coastal waters of the Barents and White Seas. Data of seasonal supervision at stationary biological station and materials of expedition works on Murmansk coast were analyzed. The species, age, generative and spatial structures of fucoid populations in different biotopes of the littoral were studied. It was found that species composition of phytocenoses and quantitative parameters of commercial fucoids varied significantly in open and closed bays, as well as in algae living in the lower and upper littoral. The average biomass of fucoids in semi-closed inlets varied from 2.8±0.6 to 17.7±2.9 kg/m2, depending on dominant species in community, the structure of substrate and impact of waves. The results indicate that phytocenoses of fucoid algae under the influence of changing environmental factors largely ensure the integrity of littoral ecosystem. For rational harvest and cultivation of commercial fucoids, as well as the restoration of disturbed phytocenoses after the removal of some algae, it is recommended to use the technology of synchronization of harvesting with life cycles of seaweeds.