Science and Tech

“We need to recognize macroalgae to protect them”

June 28, 2022
3 Min Read
"We need to recognize macroalgae to protect them"

In 2018 and after finishing the course “Diversity of macroalgae in Patagonia”a group of five researchers in marine sciences set out to share with the community, in simple language, the knowledge acquired and the records made on that occasion, material that is now available for free in the book “Subantarctic macroalgae guide”.

​

The text, which was written collaboratively by Jocelyn Jofre, Hélène Dubrasquet, María Eliana Ramírez, Nelso Navarro and Erasmo Macaya, allows us to learn about the diversity of algae present in the Magallanes Region and seeks to raise awareness of the fragility of high-altitude marine ecosystems. latitudes. It is written in Spanish and English and gathers information on 60 species of macroalgae (15 green, 15 brown and 30 red).

“The list of species corresponds to those that we collected during the course. We know that it is only a part compared to what is really there, since more than 200 algae are registered in the Magellan zone, therefore, it is a first approximation to describe the local biodiversity and to have an information base that allows us to study and recognize this ecosystem”, said the student.

Presentation at the Dynamic Research Center for High Latitude Marine Ecosystems (IDEAL).

“Subantarctic macroalgae guide”

Regarding the audience this guide is addressed to, Hélène Dubrasquet added that the text is structured in a reader-friendly format, in simple language and with full-color images, in order to reach a non-specialist audience. It has a glossary to explain the more specific terms and allow the identification of species more easily: “The objective is to bring this information closer to professionals from the different areas and institutions that have to do in some way with the marine ecosystems of the Magellan region.

Along these lines, he added that “we need to recognize macroalgae to protect them”, since they are key organisms for ecosystems. Algae produce oxygen and help mitigate the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon. “In addition, Magellan algae have unique characteristics, including the ability to reproduce at low temperatures and resist environmental stress related to UV radiation, high water turbidity and low salinity.”

Finally, when asked about her research interests in the context of her studies in the Doctorate in Marine Biology at UACh, Hélène indicated that she is motivated by the study of the evolution of marine diversity in the context of climate change and human action. Specifically, she is interested in the impact of invasive algae, for which the link and presence that the Southern University of Chile in the Region of Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctica has been essential to project this type of research in a territory with low levels of intervention and where it is possible to access a natural laboratory.

It is worth mentioning that the printed publication had the financing and editorial advice of the Dynamic Research Center for High Latitude Marine Ecosystems (IDEAL) from the Austral University of Chile.

Source link

Tags

Recent Comments

No comments to show.