MONITORING SEAWEED DIVERSITY IN THE BAY OF FUNDY, NEW BRUNSWICK. CANADA

Detailed rccords ofseaweed diversity in southernNcw Brunswick were produced on and oTf up until the latc 1970's. Since thcn, formal seaweed diversity monitoring has ceased, presumably due to a lack of ~nonetary and human resources. The objective of this project is to conduct a long- term floristic monitoring progralil for red, green and brown algae in the Bay of Fundy. Specifically, we are sampliiig intertidal macroalgal assemblages to 1) obtain current and detailed baseline records, 2) cotliparc contemporary and historical data to highlight changes in the flora, 3) gain insight into the range of variation in Fundy seaweed con~munities, 4) compare methods of sanlpling and analyzing intertidal seaweed comn~unity data, and 5) pinpoint sites ofliigli diversity for conservation purposes. Our results to date indicate that certain sites within the Bay of Fundy show symptolns consistent with reported indicators of antliropogenic pressure. At these sites, we observed a lower percent cover and diversity of red algae, blooms of eetocarpoid brown algae, and a higher perecnt cover of mussels, when compared to other sites. Symptoms that were not observed includc reduced Shannon diversity index (H') and extensive blooms of green algae.