Pa. Staehr et al., Invasion of Sargassum muticum in Limfjorden (Denmark) and its possible impact on the indigenous macroalgal community, MAR ECOL-PR, 207, 2000, pp. 79-88
Attached Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt was first observed in the weste
rnmost part of Limfjorden (Denmark) in 1984, and it has since colonized Lim
fjorden from west to east at a rate of 15 to 17 km yr(-1). By 1997, S. muti
cum had become the most dominant macroalga, covering more than 6 % of the b
ottom between 0 and 6 m depth, corresponding to ca 35 % cover of the hard s
ubstrate. In 1990, the cover of S, muticum was strongly correlated with dis
tance from the original source area in the westernmost part of the estuary,
suggesting that colonization was still in progress. By 1997, the cover of
S, muticum was less correlated with distance from the original source area
and more strongly correlated with the amount of hard substrate, indicating
that colonization was reaching its climax. The absence of S, muticum from c
ertain parts of Limfjorden by 1997 is therefore best explained by lack of h
ard substrate in these areas, and not by insufficient colonization time. Th
e increased abundance of S, muticum between 1990 and 1997 affected species
richness and diversity of the macroalgal community only marginally. However
, multivariate community analysis revealed significant changes in the macro
algal community structure that were closely related to the increased abunda
nce of S. muticum. Not only did the dominance of S. muticum increase signif
icantly from 1990 to 1997, but the cover of several indigenous species belo
nging to the genera Laminaria, Fucus, and Codium decreased during the same
period, indicating competitive displacement through competition for hard su
bstrate and light.