1. NCWG2-08.9 A Seagrass/Seaweed (Macro-Algae)
2nd Meeting of the Nautical Cartography Working Group
26-29 April Monaco
NCWG A Seagrass/Seaweed (Macro-Algae)

2. NCWG2-08.9A Submitted by: Spain (IHM)
Executive Summary: Establish specifications in S4 and INT-1 about “Seagrass- Seaweed”
Related Documents: IHO S-4 Regulations for International (INT) Charts and Chart Specifications of the IHO
Related Projects: None

3. Introduction
INT1 depict item J13.1 and J (S4 «425.5, ») as Weed (including Kelp), as Wd:
Besides with obsolescent symbols.
 Alg for Spanish INT 1
H., Al. for French INT 1
Grs. ,Stg. for German INT 1
INT1 depict item J10 (S4 sections «425, 427»).as Coral, Coralline algae and Co representation and no symbol.

4. Introduction
However, in marine biodiversity, there are only two kind of main vegetation at sea;
Algae
Macro-algae (Red, Brown and Green Algae) also known as (Seaweed, Weed, including Kelp)
Micro-algae (not taken into account due to its small size).
Seagrass (Plant, phanerogam).

5. Introduction

6. Seaweeds (Macro Algae)
Main Differences
Seagrasses
Seaweeds (Macro Algae)
58 species
Around
have veins.
do not have veins.
When you squish a small piece of seagrass, you don't get a mushy liquid as you do with seaweeds.
When you squish a small piece of green seaweed, you get a mushy liquid.
have woody underground stems.
Some seaweed may have underground structures.
have real roots that absorb water and nutrients. They look like the roots of more familiar land plants.
Some seaweed may have structures that look like roots but these merely grip the ground .
leaves do not come in as wide variety of shapes as green seaweeds. They are either leaf-, fern-shaped.
come in a wide variety of shapes. Some may be fern-shaped.
Seagrasses do not suddenly become extremely abundant.
may be seasonally abundant, covering the shores in a thick layer and then disappearing several weeks later.
Seagrasses produce flowers and fruits.
Seaweeds do not produce flowers or fruits.

7. Main Differences

8. Seagrass Global Distribution
Global seagrass diversity and distribution from 2005 UNEP-WCMC.

9. Primary production (Carbone) world oceans
Primary production (Carbone) world oceans. (Derive the Algae and Microalgae Global Distribution).
Chemical Oceanography, Vol. 6 (2nd edn.). eds. J. P. Ripley and R. Chester. Copyright by Academic Press Inc. (London) Ltd.)

10. Algae (Kelp Forrest) Global Distribution
Pratt Institute/UG/Fall2010

11. Algae (Coralline) Global Distribution (Global contribution of coralline algae to carbon burial)
L. H. van der Heijden and N. A. Kamenos: Calculating the global contribution of coralline algae . Corallinaceae, Hapalidiaceae and Sporolithaceae).

12. Example of Seaweed Reserve
Example: Spain there is an special area of social Interest for Seagrass (Posidonia) in Balearic Island, (endemic in all the Mediterranean Sea).

13. Example of Seaweed Reserve
Example: NZ. Taputeranga Marine Reserve is located close to Wellington’s city centre. It lies in the confluence of three oceanic water bodies and currents, which bring together a unique and richly varied mixture of warm, cold, temperate, and subantarctic fauna and flora.
New Zealand

14. Example of Seaweed Reserve
Example: Philippines. Seagrass distribution.
The first Philippine-wide surveys indicated that seagrass beds in the Philippines are spread discontinuously over 978 sq km in 96 selected sites.

15. But no individual INT 1 Symbol for Seagrass
Other Symbology
INT1 symbology for different reasons, as:
N-2.2 Limit of area into which entry is prohibited
N-12.1 Anchorage area in general
N-12-9 Reserved anchorage area.
N 20 Anchoring prohibited
N-21.1 Fishing prohibited
N-22 Bird sanctuary
N-22 Seal sanctuary
N-22 Non-specific nature reserve, National parks, Marine Reserves (MR)
N-22 Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)
But no individual INT 1 Symbol for Seagrass

16. Other Symbology
However there is specific vegetation symbology (trees).

17. Conclusions Recommendation
It would be interesting to distinguish between Seaweed (Macro-algae) and Seagrass symbology.
Coralline Algae definition could be deleted from J10, for unnecessary distinction as a Seaweed.
Maintain J10 only as Coral (Animals coral).
Recommendation
Spain recommends the adoption of a new symbol for Seagrass, different to Seaweed.
Delete Coralline Algae in J10 and change to Coral.

18. Possible INT1 Changes

19. Action required of NCWG
The NCWG is invited to discuss the necessity for a S4/INT-1 Seagrass symbol different to Seaweed (Macro-Algae).
Consider the recommendations presented in this document to modify S-4 and INT 1 symbol for Seagrass different to Seaweed.
Make any necessary adjustments to the recommended S-4 text, and INT1 changes (Annex b)
Take the required steps to implement the changes.