Restoration Objective:

This study aimed to repopulate areas of the intertidal with Lessonia in order to increase production for commercial harvests and to improve restoration techniques.

Site Selection Criteria:

La Herradura Bay is a protected site with low L. nigrescens abundance, dominated by coralline algae with high abundances of urchins.

Cause Of Decline:

Chilean brown seaweeds (particularly species of Lessonia and Macrocystis) are regularly harvested and exported. In addition to harvesting pressure, production of subtidal and intertidal populations of Lessonia were adversely affected by the El Niño of 1982-83.

Key Reasons For Decline:

Harvest

Scientific Paper

Repopulation of intertidal areas with Lessonia nigrescens in northern Chile

J.A. Vásquez, F. Tala

Journal of Applied Phycology, Vol. 7.

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00003791

Organisation:

Universidad Católica del Norte

United States of America

Site Observations:

Observation Date

1st Mar 1993 – 1st Mar 1994

Action Summary:

100 reproductive Lessonia nigrescens fronds were dried and transported to Punta Lagunillas and rehydrated in 40L of seawater for 2 hours. The resulting spore suspension (8 x 106 spores) was introduced into the water at low tide over three 10m2 sites lacking L. nigrescens and sea urchins. Three control sites of a comparable area without spore seeding were established 15m from the experimental area.

Lessons Learned:

No development of plants.

Project Outcomes:

There was no development of plants in the seeded areas at La Herradura Bay.

Key Reasons For Decline:

Harvest

Indicator Data:

Indicator:	Ending Value:	Starting Value:
Adult Kelp Count	0.0000	0.0000

Universidad Católica del Norte - La Herradura Bay

Restoration Project

Universidad Católica del Norte - La Herradura Bay

Restoration Objective:

Site Selection Criteria:

Cause Of Decline:

Key Reasons For Decline:

Harvest

Scientific Paper

Repopulation of intertidal areas with Lessonia nigrescens in northern Chile

Organisation:

Universidad Católica del Norte

United States of America

Country

Primary Contact

Primary Organisation

Universidad Católica del Norte

Improving Methodologies

Lessonia nigrescens

Site Observations:

Observation Date

1st Mar 1993 – 1st Mar 1994

Action Summary:

Lessons Learned:

Project Outcomes:

Key Reasons For Decline:

Harvest

Indicator Data:

Indicator:

Ending Value:

Starting Value:

Adult Kelp Count

Recorded By

Lessonia nigrescens

Improving Methodologies

Dispersed Propagules Into the Water

5. Is Assessed Against Clear Goals And Objectives, Using Measurable Indicators

4. Supports Ecosystem Recovery Processes