Clump structure, population structure and non-destructive biomass estimation of the New Zealand carrageenophyte Sarcothalia lanceata (Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta)

Sarcothalia lanceata is a New Zealand carrageenophyte with tetrasporophytic thalli that produce carrageenan very close to the idealised structure of lambda-carrageenan. As such there is interest in its potential for commercial utilisation. There is no information on the biology and ecology of natural populations of this species, but this knowledge is critical for determining whether a species is a suitable candidate for sustainable wild harvest or for aquaculture. Population studies were conducted at two sites in New Zealand’s South Island in order to provide fundamental information on this species. The structure (abundance and composition of male, female, tetrasporophytic and non-reproductive clumps) of the two populations was assessed monthly over a year, and population biomass estimated using regression methods. Seasonal variation was not evident in most of the parameters measured, but differences between sites were found in total population density, the density of different life-history phases, and clump size and structure. The turnover in biomass occurs more frequently at the blade level than at the clump level and the presence of a basal crust in this species promotes population stability.