Abstract
Process of algal succession was observed at the removal of Ecklonia stolonifera communities on the coast of Cape Ohma, Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, to clarify the harvesting areas construction for the edible seaweed of Laminaria japonica. E. stolonifera communities of 1-25 m2 at about 6 m depth were removed in October 1995, November 1996, December 1997, January 1998, February 1998 and March 1998. At the removal areas, the colonization of new algal species was monitored up to December 1998, and algal biomass was measured in July 1999. Algal colonies of L. japonica continuously occurred for three years from 1996. First and second year sporophytes of L. japonica and Undaria pinnatifida were observed in July 1999 at the areas from which E. stolonifera was removed in November and December 1997. However, fucalean species such as Myagropsis myagroides were observed. It is considered that L. japonica or M. myagroides communities can be constructed by selecting the removal season of E. stolonifera communities.
