INVESTIGADORES
ROMERO Maria Carolina
artículos
Título:
Changes in the fish fauna associated with a sub-Antarctic Macrocystis pyrifera kelp forest in response to canopy removal
Autor/es:
VANELLA, F.A.,; FERNANDEZ, D.A.,; ROMERO, M.C.,; CALVO, J.
Revista:
POLAR BIOLOGY
Editorial:
Springer
Referencias:
Año: 2007 vol. 30 p. 449 - 457
ISSN:
0722-4060
Resumen:
Abstract The fish fauna associated with a Macrocystis
pyrifera forest and the efects of the canopy removal on
this fauna were studied in the Beagle Channel, Tierra
del Fuego. Seasonal changes and diferences in the fish
communities that inhabit the canopy and the holdfast
were also studied. Two patches of kelp forest separated
by 200 m were selected. In one, the canopy was
removed periodically while the other was used as a
control. Samples were collected seasonally, from
autumn 1999 to 2001. Fish fauna in the water column
was sampled using trammel nets and holdfast fish fauna
was sampled by removing the complete holdfast.
Diferent assemblages of fish species were captured in
the water column (surface and bottom) and in the
holdfast. In the former there were mainly pelagic and
benthopelagic species and the latter predominantly
demersal species. The principal eVect of the canopy
removal was a drop in the abundance (and total
weight) of Paranotothenia magellanica (doradito), the
species with the strongest relationship with the canopy,
principally at the surface of the treated patch probably
due to a reduction in the availability of refuges. A high
degree of seasonality was observed for fish species
total weight, abundance and diversity, with higher values
in summer and autumn. Taking into account our
data and available data on kelp growth in the same
locality, we suggest of cutting the kelp forest (preferably
those farther away from the coast) once a year in
winter or early spring, in order to minimize impact on
the fish community.