the reef biota at Wilsons promontory marine national - Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria Technical Series #74SRMP Wilsons Promontory MNP3.1.3. Common Algal SpeciesThe mean percentage cover of Ecklonia radiata and Phyllospora comosa changed relativelylittle between surveys to 2011 (Figure 3.4a-b). The mean cover of P. comosa wasconsistently higher at the more exposed MNP sites. The cover of Haliptilon roseum wasrelatively low at all sites at Wilsons Promontory, however there was a notable increasingtrend from 2004 to 2010, with a subsequent abrupt decline to 2011 (Figure 3.4c).Phacelocarpus peperocarpos cover remained relatively stable throughout the monitoringperiod (Figure 3.4d). Plocamium angustum abundance was relatively stable within themarine protected area and more variable in the reference area (Figure 3.4e). Seirococcusaxillaris cover was relatively stable during the baseline survey period and more variablebetween times from 2004 to 2011 (Figure 3.4f).Ecklonia radiata CoverCover (%)0 10 20 30MPArefa.2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012YearPhyllospora comosa CoverCover (%)0 10 30 50MPArefb.2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012YearFigure 3.4. Percent cover (mean ± standard error) of dominant algal species inside and outside theWilsons Promontory Marine National Park.38