Estimation of kelp forest, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria</Emphasis> spp., distributions in coastal waters of the Shiretoko Peninsula,Hokkaido, Japan,using echosounder and geostatistical analysis

Sustainable management of the kelp forests of the Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Natural Heritage site, is necessary due to kelp’s ecological and economic importance. The objectives of this study were to estimate the area of kelp forests and to clarify their spatial characteristics in coastal waters of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Data on the presence/absence and thickness of kelp forests were collected via acoustic observation on transects over about 80 km using an echosounder at 200 kHz. Acoustic data were geostatistically interpolated, and the areas covered by kelp forests were estimated. Differences in kelp distribution between the eastern and western sides of the peninsula were compared. The total area of kelp forest was 3.88 km² (eastern area: 3.49 km²; western area: 0.39 km²). The range of thickness of the kelp forests was 34–91 cm. Many kelp forests in the eastern area were thick (>78 cm) and distributed continuously, while kelp forests in the western area were sparsely distributed.     

Quantitative mapping of kelp forests (Laminaria spp.) before and after harvest in coastal waters of the Shiretoko Peninsula,Hokkaido, Japan

In the Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Natural Heritage site, the sustainable management of kelp forests has drawn public attention because of the economic and ecological importance of kelp. We spatially estimated the distributions of kelp forests in the Shiretoko Peninsula before and after harvest. Field surveys were conducted in coastal waters (23.74 km²) at the ends of July and August 2008, immediately before and after harvest. Data on the presence or absence and thickness of the kelp forests were collected via acoustic observation. The data were interpolated using geostatistical methods. Before harvest, the kelp forests were continuously distributed over 5.64 km² (thickness 33–132 cm), especially near the north part of the study area. After harvest, they were sparsely distributed over 2.73 km² (thickness 35–105 cm). In the southern part of the study area, the influence of harvests was observed as declines in forest area. In addition, relatively thickly forested areas formed the majority of the part most likely to be harvested. Selective harvesting for area and size was confirmed though quantitative mapping of kelp forests. The quantitative mapping of both the distribution and harvest of kelp forests was successful.