The Structure and Distribution of the Gigartina stellata (Stackh.) Batters and Chondrus crispus Stackh. Associations in Icelandic Waters

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Abstract
A survey of the distribution, structure and floristic composition of associations of the 2 carrageenan-yielding species, C. crispus and G. stellata in Icelandic waters is given. The warm boreal species C. crispus is found only in the south and southwest of Iceland, the limits of its regional distribution being determined by the lowered winter temperatures in the boundary regions. This species is association-forming mainly in tide pools, with a rather uniform structure and floristic composition. The cold boreal species G. stellata is absent only in the East Icelandic coastal area, but association-forming up to Hornbjarg in the extreme northwest. This low eulittoral association exhibits exceeding variations regarding its zonal position, floristic composition and physiognomy, dependent on the shore topography, exposure conditions and regional position. A Dilsea carnosa variant of this association was found in the south and southwest and a Leathesia difformis variant in the northwest. Some additional biomass measurements in the stands of both gigartinalean species were carried out and some suggestions about the possibility of their exploitation are given.

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