Photoquadrant of Benthic monitoring in Comau Fjord

In the year 2023, a comprehensive measurement campaign was conducted across various seasons at multiple sites, including Lilihuapi, Caleta Soledad, XhuinayN, Muelle, and Punta Huinay, with the aim of evaluating the abundance and diversity of sessile and mobile benthic macrofauna species. The results of this study are presented in this report. Building upon the methodology refined by Villalobos et al. (2021), this research was carried out by the scientific diving team at the Huinay Scientific Station. The methodology primarily relies on the use of photo-quadrants for underwater image capture, facilitating precise species identification and estimation of relative abundance. Monitoring was conducted across different seasons to capture potential seasonal variations in the composition and abundance of benthic species, providing a comprehensive and detailed view of ecosystem dynamics.