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Phase Shift in Vertical Distribution of Macroalgal Assemblages on Udo Islet, Jeju, Korea, After a Decade of Revisiting

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Abstract

We investigated seasonal macroalgal assemblages using virtual transect lines and 0.25 m−2 quadrats from the upper intertidal zone to subtidal 15 m depth during the period from May 2019 to February 2020 at Udo Islet, Jeju Island. A total of 191 species (15 Chlorophyta, 36 Ocrophyta, and 140 Rhodophyta) were observed among the quadrats, with annual mean biomass of 1998.8 g wet wt m−2. To confirm the decadal variation of the macroalgal assemblage in Udo, we compared our data with previous observations during 2009–2010 at the same locations reported by Kang et al. We were able to confirm that species diversity did not decrease, although subtidal biomass showed a considerable decrease. Notably, the biomass of non-calcareous macroalgae was considerably reduced, whereas calcareous algal biomass doubled despite maintaining the distribution of dominant species. This changing pattern of macroalgal assemblage is similar with the early process of sea-barrenness reported by previous studies on the Jeju coast. In this study, it was not possible to identify the cause of the decrease in abundance of non-calcareous algae, as the survey focused on only macroalgal assemblage without verifying any environmental factors. Further studies identifying additional factors that might be directly connected to marine deforestation, including physiological, chemical, and biological factors, are essential to recovering or at least maintaining the macroalgal community of Udo Islet.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Basic Science Research Program (2019R1A6A1A10072987) through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) to Research Institute for Basic Sciences (RIBS) of Jeju National University. We thank to Mr. Hyun, B.C., Mr. Kim, G.S., and Miss. Na, G.A. for underwater guidance during the surveys to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea

    Jeong Chan Kang & Myung Sook Kim

  2. Department of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, Kunsan National University, Kunsan, 54150, Republic of Korea

    Hyung Woo Lee

  3. Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea

    Young Wook Ko

  4. Department of Biology, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea

    Myung Sook Kim

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Table S1

: Vertical mean biomass (g wet wt m–2) of macroalgal species from quardrats for sampling at Udo Islet, Jeju in 2009 and 2019 with delimitation of macroalgal formed groups (F-group). (XLSX 34 KB)

Table S2

: Changes of vertical distributed dominant species with mean biomass (g wet wt m−2; mean + standard error) and statistical difference between yearly data from the sites investigated between 2009 and 2019. (XLSX 17 KB)

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Kang, J.C., Lee, H.W., Ko, Y.W. et al. Phase Shift in Vertical Distribution of Macroalgal Assemblages on Udo Islet, Jeju, Korea, After a Decade of Revisiting. Ocean Sci. J. 58, 24 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12601-023-00119-w

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