Seaweeds - part 2

Neptune's Necklace

Japanese Kelp, Wakame

Undaria pinnatifida is highly invasive, grows rapidly and has the potential to overgrow and exclude native algal species. The effects on the marine communities it invades are not yet well understood, but it is possible that the presence of U. pinnatifida may alter the food resources of herbivores that would normally consume native species. In areas of Tasmania it has become a very common species, growing in large numbers around areas in which sea urchins have depleted stocks of native algae.

Reference: NIMPIS (2002). http://crimp.marine.csiro.au/nimpis