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Exploring the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, connectivity in the Southeast Pacific region for effective conservation and management

Background: Comprehending Macrocystis pyrifera connectivity in the Southeast Pacific region assumes a pivotal role in its management. A comprehensive understanding of this fundamental aspect of population dynamics is imperative for the identification and safeguarding of key areas fostering connectivity. Despite its importance in conservation efforts, the connectivity patterns of giant kelp in the Southeast Pacific remain inadequately understood. 
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the connectivity of M. pyrifera in the Southeast Pacific, with a specific focus on the influence of environmental variables and their implications for management.  

Results: Employing network analysis, we discovered that the southern population (36 to 43°S) serves as a crucial source-sink area, playing a fundamental role in connectivity, propagule dissemination, local retention and non-local retention.  We recommend designating this area as a no-take zone to preserve its critical role. Additionally, our study identifies seasonal and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability in the central population (35 to 28°S). We suggest management measures that can adapt to both inter and intra-annual variability, thereby addressing the dynamic nature of environmental conditions. Finally, through the delineation of management units based on population connectivity, we identify key source areas within each unit that warrant protection. These findings are essential for informing kelp conservation strategies, underscoring the need to consider regional and temporal environmental factors through an adaptive management approach.

Data sources acknowledgment: Thompson-Saud et al 2024

This dataset consist of: One .zip file containing:

  • 14 CSV files containing the output of changes in network measures across different seasons and ENSO conditions
  • 2 R files providing statistical analyses for the network measures

Software/equipment used to manipulate/analyse the data: ArcGIS and R to process the network outputs and to run the statistical models
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    Data Record Details
    Data record related to this publication Exploring the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, connectivity in the Southeast Pacific region for effective conservation and management
    Data Publication title Exploring the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, connectivity in the Southeast Pacific region for effective conservation and management
  • Description

    Background: Comprehending Macrocystis pyrifera connectivity in the Southeast Pacific region assumes a pivotal role in its management. A comprehensive understanding of this fundamental aspect of population dynamics is imperative for the identification and safeguarding of key areas fostering connectivity. Despite its importance in conservation efforts, the connectivity patterns of giant kelp in the Southeast Pacific remain inadequately understood. 
    Objective: This study aims to evaluate the connectivity of M. pyrifera in the Southeast Pacific, with a specific focus on the influence of environmental variables and their implications for management.  

    Results: Employing network analysis, we discovered that the southern population (36 to 43°S) serves as a crucial source-sink area, playing a fundamental role in connectivity, propagule dissemination, local retention and non-local retention.  We recommend designating this area as a no-take zone to preserve its critical role. Additionally, our study identifies seasonal and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability in the central population (35 to 28°S). We suggest management measures that can adapt to both inter and intra-annual variability, thereby addressing the dynamic nature of environmental conditions. Finally, through the delineation of management units based on population connectivity, we identify key source areas within each unit that warrant protection. These findings are essential for informing kelp conservation strategies, underscoring the need to consider regional and temporal environmental factors through an adaptive management approach.

    Data sources acknowledgment: Thompson-Saud et al 2024

    This dataset consist of: One .zip file containing:

    • 14 CSV files containing the output of changes in network measures across different seasons and ENSO conditions
    • 2 R files providing statistical analyses for the network measures

    Software/equipment used to manipulate/analyse the data: ArcGIS and R to process the network outputs and to run the statistical models

    •
  • Other Descriptors
    • Descriptor
      • Descriptor type
    • Data type dataset
  • Keywords
    • Macrocystis pyrifera
    • Giant kelp
    • Marine connectivity
    • Humboldt Current System
    • ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation)
    • Management
    • Conservation
  • Funding source
    • James Cook University, Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
    • the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
  • Research grant(s)/Scheme name(s)
    • - [
    • Research themes
    Tropical Ecosystems, Conservation and Climate Change
    FoR Codes (*)
    • 370803 - Physical oceanography
    • 410401 - Conservation and biodiversity
    • 410404 - Environmental management
    SEO Codes
    • 180506 - Oceanic processes (excl. in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean)
- Specify coverage
    Specify spatial or temporal setting of the data
    Temporal (time) coverage
  • Start Date
  • End Date
    • Time Period
    Spatial (location) coverage
  • Locations
    • Chile
    • Peru
- Data
    Data Locations

    Type Location Notes
    Attachment Data_Macrocystis pyrifera_connectivity.zip
    The Data Manager is: Alana Grech
    College or Centre College of Science & Engineering
    Access conditions Open: free access under license
  • Alternative access conditions
    • Data record size 31 files: 223KB
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- Citation
    Citation Thompson Saud, Gabriela; Grech, Alana (2025): Exploring the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, connectivity in the Southeast Pacific region for effective conservation and management . James Cook University. https://doi.org/10.25903/hybj-4d19