Historical knowledge, variation in community composition, ecotrophic parameterization, and invasive species of macroalgae in the Galapagos archipelago

Abstract

Due to its uniqueness and protected status the marine ecosystem of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) is of particular interest. As a result of its equatorial location and upwelling-influenced waters, the Galapagos archipelago hosts a diverse and productive marine ecosystem, and this is especially true of marine macroalgae. Macroalgal ecology in the archipelago has not been comprehensively studied. This work, which includes a synthesis of historical knowledge, a large-scale description of macroalgal community variation across the archipelago based on standardized surveys, large and fine-scale estimates of macroalgal ecotrophic parameters, and the foundation for studying the phylogenetics and behavior of Caulerpa in the GMR, was completed with the hope that this information will be useful for the continued management and conservation of the unique and fragile marine ecosystems of the Galapagos archipelago.