Occurrence of biennial sporophytes of the kelp Saccharina japonica in Hokkaido, Japan

  • Tadashi Kawai Central Fisheries Research Institute, Hokkaido Research Organization, 238 Hamanaka, Yoichi, Hokkaido 046–8555, Japan
  • Takanori Kuribayashi Headquarters, Hokkaido Research Organization, Kita 19 Nishi 11, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0819, Japan
Keywords: bedrock gradient, diving survey, estuary, nutrients, topography

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that relict communities of Saccharina japonica var. ochotensis are rarely observed in southwestern Hokkaido, where S. japonica. var. religiosa is generally distributed. Previous research has mainly focused on the morphology of these species, and field survey data is very limited. In the present study, relict S. japonica var. ochotensis communities were observed only near the estuaries of larger rivers, specifically in estuarine areas where bedrock is present and the seashore has a gentle gradient slope. The biomass and size (length, width, and weight) of annual and biennial relict S. japonica. var. ochotensis were recorded. The carbon/nitrogen ratio of the kelp sporophytes was analyzed, and relatively lower values were observed in the relict community of this species. This information may help in the maintenance of kelp beds in southwestern Hokkaido and the wise utilization of relict S. japonica var. ochotensis in the estuarine areas of southwestern Hokkaido, Sea of Japan.

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References

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Published
2024-09-17
How to Cite
KawaiT., & KuribayashiT. (2024). Occurrence of biennial sporophytes of the kelp Saccharina japonica in Hokkaido, Japan. Habitus Aquatica : Journal of Aquatic Resources and Fisheries Management, 5(2), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.29244/HAJ.5.2.99