Transitional and Coastal Waters – Opportunistic Macroalgae

Opportunistic macroalgae are able to utilise excess nitrogen in the environment and outcompete other seaweed species. They are easy to identify and sample so are good for monitoring the effects of nutrient enrichment. The method is based on the principle that high nutrient levels increase the growth of certain macroalgae species smothering the other species that are less tolerant to nutrient enrichment.

The method statement published in 2009 for the first river basin planning cycle has now been updated for the second cycle, linked below. 

Publication Date: 
23-April-2014
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG