Factors affecting the quality and distribution of the kelp Saccharina lattissima in Norway
- Year of publication
- 2014
- Contributors
- Hege Gundersen, Kjell Magnus Norderhaug, Hartvig C Christie, Frithjof Emil Moy, Dag Øystein Hjermann, Jens Vedal, Anna Birgitta Ledang, Janne Kim Gitmark, Mats Walday
Mats Gunnar Walday
Dag Øystein Hjermann
Hege Gundersen
Janne Kim Gitmark
Summary
Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) has implemented this project, commissioned by the Norwegian Environment Agency. Through this project, available data that could explain the loss of sugar kelp Saccharina latissima have been statistically analyzed. Data series compiled includes data from monitoring surveys (KYS, KYO, ØKOKYST, IO and YO) and research (“Sukkertarprosjektet” and “SaccRef”), as well as relevant data-series on impact factors (RID, NVE, eKlima, IMR hydrographic measuring stations, fisheries data, NAO and geophysical GIS layers). This survey was carried out to identify causes of loss of sugar kelp. Analyses of available long-term data show a decline in the condition of sugar kelp in the three areas Skagerrak, the southwestern and the west coast. In Skagerrak there was a marked decrease with subsequent increase during the 2000s. Corresponding data from southwestern and western Norway were not available. The results show that the most important variables that affected sugar in this analysis are several factors that relate to climate change and inputs of nutrients and since analysis has not pointed to a single factor it is likely that several factors work together.