Changes in algal coverage, biomass, and sessile animal biomass in experimental Diadema barren ground plots

Abstract

This study examines the effects of removing long-spined sea urchin species Diadema setosum on algal coverage, biomass, and sessile animal biomass in experimental plots that simulate barren grounds. Algal coverage and biomass increased in removal plots, and no algae were observed in non-removal plots where D. setosum was maintained at high density. A positive correlation was found between the algal coverage and biomass in the removal plots. Further, sessile animal biomass in the removal plots was higher than that in the non-removal plots. Our results suggest that the feeding pressure of D. setosum affects not only algal coverage and biomass but also sessile animal biomass.