A new survey shows that there are 20 various species of sea lettuce along the Swedish coast. Belonging to the genus Ulva, sea lettuce is a popular types of green macroalgae, scattered widely throughout the huge Baltic Sea region, extending from the Atlantic waters to the Bay of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea.” We have studied the biological variety of the Baltic Sea, Kattegatt, and Skagerak by taking a big number of samples from sea lettuce that we have actually then conducted DNA analysis of. Growing sea lettuce as a food source is a rapidly increasing market, and foreign species run the risk of being spread through simple lack of knowledge. In Sweden, sea lettuce grows on cliffs and rocks at the edge of water along the entire West Coast and in the Baltic Sea up to the Bay of Bothnia.
Sea lettuce, which is a kind of green alga, grows along the coasts and is interesting as a prospective food source. A brand-new study shows that there are 20 different species of sea lettuce along the Swedish coast. Credit: Sophie Steinhagen
The diversity of the sea lettuce types, a kind of green algae, present in the Baltic Sea region and Skagerak, is considerably more extensive than previously believed. A thorough research study performed by scientists from the University of Gothenburg, surveying over 10,000 kilometers of seaside area, has actually determined an overall of twenty unique sea lettuce species.
Coming from the genus Ulva, sea lettuce is a prominent species of green macroalgae, scattered commonly throughout the vast Baltic Sea area, stretching from the Atlantic waters to the Bay of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. Owing to its rapid development and easy reproduction, sea lettuce has piqued the interest of the growing aquaculture industry. Research study is ongoing both in Sweden and abroad for utilizing sea lettuce in the food market and for various biochemical applications.
There are multiple types, however previously it has actually not been known how many there are and previously only a handful had actually been identified
Intrusive species recognized.
” We have studied the biological diversity of the Baltic Sea, Kattegatt, and Skagerak by taking a great deal of samples from sea lettuce that we have actually then performed DNA analysis of. We discovered 20 distinct species and subspecies. 3 of these are invasive species that have discovered their way here in numerous methods,” says Sophie Steinhagen, a researcher at Tjärnö Marine Laboratory.
The scientists also discovered totally brand-new types of sea lettuce in Swedish waters that have not previously been described clinically. A few of these appear to just grow in the Baltic Sea.
Sophie Steinhagen, a marine ecologist at the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Gothenburg. Credit: Björn Larsson Rosvall
The importance of this survey is significant. Growing sea lettuce as a food source is a quickly increasing industry, and foreign species risk being spread out through basic ignorance. To maintain and safeguard valuable ecosystems along the coasts, it is important to understand which types grow there and to not present brand-new types that run the risk of out-competing the native types.
Grow the best types in the right place
” Our research study shows that todays technique of recognizing types, which is often done by taking a look at the appearance of green algae, is inadequate for identifying the circulation of the various species. We have not had the ability to see the genuine degree of the biological variety,” says Steinhagen.
The stock found many brand-new types, information that can be valuable when cultivation of sea lettuces is started in brand-new places along the coast. It is necessary to grow the best species at the ideal location to avoid the risk of affecting diversity.
” This new knowledge allows us to develop techniques for keeping the unique sea lettuce species along a particular coast. Our survey can likewise assist when writing guidelines associated with intrusive types that ought to not be used in aquaculture if it is to be sustainable,” states Steinhagen.
Truths about sea lettuce
In Sweden, sea lettuce grows on cliffs and rocks at the edge of water along the entire West Coast and in the Baltic Sea up to the Bay of Bothnia. Research is ongoing both in Sweden and abroad for using sea lettuce in the food industry and for different biochemical applications.
Referral: “Molecular recognition of the ubiquitous green algae Ulva exposes high biodiversity, crypticity, and intrusive types in the Atlantic-Baltic Sea region” by Sophie Steinhagen, Samanta Hoffmann, Henrik Pavia and Gunilla B. Toth, 5 May 2023, Algal Research.DOI: 10.1016/ j.algal.2023.103132.