A “Biotope” approach to the marine benthic biological assemblages of the Laguna San Rafael National Park, Chile

Abstract

The biotope approach developed originally for use in Northern Europe has been used to describe and classify benthic marine assemblages in various parts o f the world, including the Laguna San Rafael National Park (LSRNP) in southern Chile and nearby protected areas. Given is a brief description o f how to identify, describe, classify and map marine biotopes. Some o f the more widely distributed rocky shore biotopes in the LSRNP area are briefly described. Full biotope descriptions are given for the most distinctive biotope within the fjords (Macrocystis pyrifera biotope) and two on the very wave-exposed open Pacific coast (Durvillaea antarctica, Lessonia nigrescens). All the biotopes recognised are regarded as provisional and require further testing and refinement. Once refined biotopes can be taken into account when making management and conservation decisions on seashore and seabed habitats within the LSRNP and surrounding nature reserves.