Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Marine Botany

Kelp Coverage

Analysis

The Graham et al. study found that at the intermediate and exposed wave sites, B and C, canopy cover was more variable, canopy loss was greater, and durations of low canopy cover were longer than at the protected site, A.  This resulted in episodic sporophyte recruitment at the intermediate and exposed sites, rather than continuous and low sporophyte recruitment at the protected site.  Juvenile populations at the protected site were continuous at the protected site, and episodic at the intermittent and exposed wave sites (Graham et al. 1997).

There are many other interesting aspects of this study that could make up many pages in summary.  It is an excellent study to look at to get a sense of some of the work being done on Macrocystis pyrifera.

Copyright 2001:  James Lopez

For Educational and Private Use Only