Population Dynamics of the ‘Golden Tides’ Seaweed, Sargassum horneri, on the Southwestern Coast of Korea: The Extent and Formation of Golden Tides

Sun Kyeong Choi, Hyun-Ju Oh, Suk-Hyun Yun, Hyuk Je Lee, Kyounghoon Lee, Young Seok Han, Sangil Kim and Sang Rul Park
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Sun Kyeong Choi: Estuarine & Coastal Ecology Laboratory, Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
Hyun-Ju Oh: Ocean Climate & Ecology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
Suk-Hyun Yun: Ocean Climate & Ecology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
Hyuk Je Lee: Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, Department of Biological Science, College of Science and Engineering, Sangji University, Wonju 26339, Korea
Kyounghoon Lee: School of Marine Technology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Korea
Young Seok Han: Research & Development Center, Neo Environmental Business Co., Bucheon 14523, Korea
Sangil Kim: Ocean Climate & Ecology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Korea
Sang Rul Park: Estuarine & Coastal Ecology Laboratory, Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Since 2015, troublesome masses of floating Sargassum horneri have been introduced via ocean currents and winds to the southwestern coastline of Korea, including Jeju Island. These massive mats have caused considerable damage to the aquaculture industry, tourism, and the marine ecosystem. Most previous studies of S. horneri have focused on cultivation, the development of gene markers, and photosynthetic activity, but few data on population dynamics are available. We investigated the population dynamics of native S. horneri off the southwestern coast of Korea with the aim of predicting the formation of golden tides. Populations at two sites had obligate annual life cycles. Thalli were recruited during the period September–November, grew during the period December–April, and senesced by July. This pattern reflected seasonal trends in water temperature. Specific growth rates and heights of the thalli at Munseom were significantly higher than those at Jindo. The greatest environmental difference between the two sites is probably the degree of exposure to wave action. Mortality density (thalli lost per unit area) in the Munseom population was highest during the period December–January (i.e., 2–3 months after recruitment) and in March. Most thalli in the Jindo population died off in July when water temperatures increased. The maximum average biomass of S. horneri thalli detaching from the substrata reached 1.6 kg fresh weight m –2 during January and March. Thus, large-scale drifting mats were formed by S. horneri detachment from the substrata. Despite the differences in space and environment between China and Korea, our findings will enable quantitative assessments of the overall floating Sargassum biomass in the East China and Yellow Seas.

Keywords: Sargassum horneri; golden tides; population dynamics; mortality; detached biomass (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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