Spatial distribution and seasonal variation in Undaria pinnatifida ...

4. Results4.1. Spatial distribution survey4.1.1. Coastal surveyThe infestation levels of Undaria at coastal locations surveyed on the western Coromandel Peninsula are mapped inFigure 4. Undaria was found at five out of the twenty six coastal reef sites surveyed from R.V. Hawere and one sitesurveyed separately from the shore (Waitataramoa bay). More detailed maps showing all sites including Kennedy Bay andPort Charles are shown in Appendix 1. Descriptions of the sites where Undaria was found are given in Table 2 andinformation on all sites surveyed is summarised in Appendix 2.Table 2: Summary of coastal sites where Undaria was observedDate29/7/2011LocationWaitataramoabay *GPSCo-ordinates36º 48’ 27 S175º 27’ 41 ENumber ofUndariaplants6Undaria SubstrateRocky reef edge atinter-tidal/subtidalboundary. Mediumboulders.Surrounding Habitat DescriptionRocky reef shelf with bare rock,Homosira banksii and patches ofcoralline turf. Medium boulderswith sparse Ecklonia radiata.6/12/2011 Wilson Bay7/12/20117/12/2011CoromandelHarbourManaiaHarbour(WekaruaIsland)36º 53’ 24 S175º 25’ 35 E36º 48‘ 27 S175º 27’ 11 E36º 50’ 30 S175º 25’ 17 E253Small boulders andpebble patches.Inside edge of reefon rocks borderingsand flats.Small boulders inopen spaces insidekelp band.Mixed algae on boulders. MainlyEcklonia radiata withCarpophyllum flexuosum andsome Carpophyllum plumosum.Sand patches.Rocky boulder reef, mixed algae-Ecklonia radiata, Carpophyllummaschalocarpum, Carpophyllumflexuosum.Small boulders and lots of openreef Low density algae -Carpophyllum flexuosum andEcklonia radiata.7/12/2011and3/2/2012Kirita bay36º 51’ 49 S175º 24’ 41 E49Coralline flats andon mediumboulders betweensand flats.Low density mixed algal canopies–Ecklonia radiata, Carpophyllummaschalocarpum (dominant),Carpophyllum plumosum.2/02/2012MotukopakeIsland36º 45’ 16 S175º 25’ 11 E2 Small boulders.Small boulders with sparseSargassum sinclairii andCarpophyllum flexuosum*These plants were discovered outside the official survey during a separate site inspection from the shore.10