The fauna and flora of a kelp bed canopy

Abstract

The fauna and flora of the canopy of a kelp bed off Oudekraal, on the Cape Peninsula, is surveyed. Four species of epiphytic algae occur in the kelp canopy, three restricted to Ecklonia maxima and the fourth to Laminaria pal/ida. Epiphyte biomass is equivalent to 4-9% of host standing crop amongst E. maxima, but less than 1 % in stands of L. pal/ida.