Has there been a change in abundance and distribution of Macrocystis pyrifera along the Southern Otago coastline? If so, why?
M. pyrifera is one of the largest and fastest growing marine algae. It provides habitat in temperate coastal systems. The giant algae provides refuge for many invertebrates and fish species as well as playing an important role in larval settlement.
This paper which was published in our November issue of the Coastal News discusses a multi-disciplinary approach to understand change of M. pyrifera habitat in Otago, New Zealand.
