Algae

Marine algae are less common in Fiordland than on open coasts elsewhere in the country. The presence of humic substances in the water filters out some of the wavelengths of light they utilise in photosynthesis. This puts them at a competitive disadvantage with the many encrusting and bottom living animal species which take up the available substrate.

They start to come into their own as the low salinity layer thins towards the entrance of the fiords. Finally, in the open ocean, they are once more the dominant benthic organism responsible for most of the biomass and productivity. It is this predominance of animal biomass and productivity in the fiords that helps make the area globally unique.

Macrocystis kelp is buoyed by gas-filled bladders. (35.47K)

Fronds of Macrocystis float towards the surface, buoyed by many flotation bladders. (41.75K)

Ulva (bottom left) and Adenocystis (centre) (90.27K)

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Last modified on Monday, September 04, 2000