Mark Rothman and Rob Anderson DAFF The appearance of the west coast kelp Ecklonia maxima in the De Hoop MPA: lessons for the management of MPAs Mark Rothman and Rob Anderson DAFF

Ecklonia radiata (ex E. biruncinata) Small – to about 60 cm Solid stipe Fronds spiny and ridged, or smooth Intertidal pools and gulleys, to 1-2m depth De Hoop to Port Edward (but also deep False Bay, Agulhas Bank, even N KZN?)

Ecklonia maxima Large – stipes one to many metres long (max. 15m!) Stipes hollow Fronds smooth Gulleys and reef down to > 10m (very seldom in intertidal pools) Historical distribution: North of Lüderitz to 10 km west of Cape Agulhas (Papkuilsfontein). (Eastern limit seen by Papenfuss in 1937, and reported in his 1942 paper. Confirmed by Anderson & Bolton in 1987, observing from a low-flying helicopter).

Ecklonia maxima at Koppie Alleen Not easily missed! No previous records there (publications, observations, collecting lists) Was not there in 2004, 2005, 2006 (student field trips) Was there in Aug 2008 (and since then) Large – 1-2m stipes (at De Hoop) Stipes hollow Fronds smooth Chokes many gulleys

African Journal of Marine Science 2012, 34(1): 147–151 South African kelp moving eastwards: the discovery of Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenfuss at De Hoop Nature Reserve on the south coast of South Africa JJ Bolton, RJ Anderson, AJ Smit and MD Rothman Historical and recent evidence is documented to demonstrate that the eastern limit of the major kelp-bed forming seaweed Ecklonia maxima has moved c. 73 km eastward along the south coast of South Africa since 2006, after remaining unchanged for almost 70 years. A significant population has established at Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature Reserve, which has been monitored from 2008 to 2011. It is hypothesised that the eastward spread is limited by aspects of the inshore water temperature regime, and recent evidence suggests that gradual cooling along this coast may have caused the change in distribution. It seems likely that if a cooling trend continues along the South African south coast, kelp beds and their associated species will move farther eastward in future decades, affecting the ecology and livelihoods along this coast.

Another example: Lunella (ex Turbo) coronatus Large, distinctive tropical/subtropical gastropod Previously recorded from tropics down to southern KZN Now at Dwesa (Mendu Pt and Kobole Mouth) – plentiful (R Anderson, Sept 2016). (200 km range extension? Confirmed by George Branch).

Two important points emerge Easily recognisable, large organisms appear in an MPA, but are only noticed by accident 2. What do these appearances mean? Is the water at De Hoop cooling? Is the water at Dwesa warming? Biological monitoring Environmental (Temperature?)

Monitoring vs research Descriptive Hypothesis-driven (pressure) Long-term Usually short-term No pressure to publish? Pressure to publish Suitable for “Citizen Science” e.g. the CREW* model? Not really suitable for “Citizen Science”. * Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers programme

An example of hypothesis –driven research Illustrate the difference between research and monitoring but data from monitoring.

Why look at seaweeds? No direct threats (insignificant exploitation) Reds, greens and browns = 3 distinct phylogenetic lineages (3 phyla) Seaweeds occupy all sorts of hard substrata Sessile, reasonably long-lived (months to years) Geog. distribution controlled by temperature We have good distribution data for SA (many biogeog publications, and updated database)

South coast 50 km strips – clustering by seaweed species De Hoop Stilbaai Goukamma Tsitsikamma Addo Kei Hluleka Pondoland Sardinia B Robberg MPAs are in different clusters, well spaced Cluster analysis. Each cluster with at least one MPA. (Jaccard: Average linkage)

Two important points emerge Easily recognisable, large organisms appear in an MPA, but are only noticed by accident 2. What do these appearances mean? Is the water at De Hoop cooling? Is the water at Dwesa warming? Biological monitoring Environmental (Temperature?) Scientist cant do monitoring

Suggestions for biological monitoring (intertidal?) Fixed sites Photographs Simple measurements/counts Exploited spp (limpets, alikreukel, Haliotis, mussels, etc.) Indicator or keystone species (sessile?) Checking and curating the data Feed results to researchers Constraints: Money, time and trained staff!

Suggestions for physical/environmental monitoring Fixed sites Shores and estuaries Simple measurements Temperature (excellent loggers available). SAEON? Sand movement (photos, reference points) Checking and curating the data Encouraging and supporting research Others may notice changes Align physical and biological monitoring sites? Constraints: Money, time and trained staff!

Conclusion We need basic monitoring in MPAs – and outside them! Mkambathi, 2015