US EPA

2747401 

Journal Article 

Threats to macroalgal diversity: Marine habitat destruction and fragmentation, pollution and introduced species 

Walker, DI; Kendrick, GA 

1998 

Yes 

Botanica Marina
ISSN: 0006-8055
EISSN: 1437-4323 

BIOSIS/98/16999 

41 

1 

105-112 

English 

WOS:000072103200013 

BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Macroalgae have not been the subject of serious conservation attention. The conservation of biological diversity in terrestrial environments has become recognised as requiring conservation of habitats in order to preserve diversity. This concept is particularly applicable in the marine environment, where macroalgae are limited to the photic zone, and usually grow attached to hard substratum. Three of the major threats to marine macroalgae biodiversity are habitat alienation, pollution and the introduction of exotic (alien) species. The development of the coastline, particularly related to increased population pressure in coastal areas, leads to construction, for example, of marinas, port facilities and canal estates. Developments result in direct destruction of existing communities and indirect changes in hydrodynamics and sedimentation. They may produce extra habitat in the form of new surfaces for colonization, but there is unlikely to be a net gain in habitat. Reduce