Sub-Antarctic subtidal and intertidal macroalgae in rocky ecosystems of Inútil Bay

To describe benthic biodiversity in Inútil Bay, six sampling sites were selected: three along the northern coast and three along the southern coast of bay. To assess intertidal species richness, 25-meter transects were established parallel to the coastline at each site across three tidal levels—high, mid, and low. Along each transect, ten 25 x 25 cm photo-quadrats were taken at each intertidal level (totaling 50 m² per transect and 30 quadrats per site. To study subtidal species assemblages, two 25-meter SCUBA transects were conducted at each site within kelp forests parallel to the coastline and extending 1 meter on either side. Twenty 25 × 25 cm photo-quadrats were recorded along each transect (50 m² area per transect; 40 quadrats per site)