The microclimate inhabited by macroalgal propagules

Amsler, Charles D.; Reed, Daniel C.; Neushul, M.

doi:10.1080/00071619200650251

Cited by 94 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 128 publications

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“…For example, the carbon fixation cycle and nutrient removal (Duarte and Cebrian 1996;Kamer et al 2004) and the energy and biomass flux from basal levels to the trophic web (Riera and Hubas 2003;Hadwen and Arthington 2007). Changes in macroalgal biomass may also affect habitat availability to invertebrates (e.g., Wilson et al 1990;Moreno 1995), to fishes (e.g., Laegdsgaard and Johnson 2001;Adams et al 2004) and to other algae (Amsler et al 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of an invasive reef-building polychaete on the biomass and composition of estuarine macroalgal assemblages

2011

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Invasive species can transform ecological communities. Their profound effects may alter the sources and pathways of primary production. We investigated the effects of the reef forming polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus invasion on the biomass and distribution of estuarine macroalgae in a SW Atlantic coastal lagoon (Mar Chiquita, 37°40 0 S, 57°23 0 W, Argentina). Reefs built by this species serve as substrates for macroalgal development and furnish structures that modify physical and biological conditions for the surrounding benthos. We showed that (1) the red macroalga Polysiphonia subtilissima settles and grows almost exclusively on the surface of the reef, (2) the green macroalgae Cladophora sp. and Enteromorpha intestinalis are found almost exclusively in areas without reefs attached to mollusk shells and, (3) no macroalgae occur in the sediment between reefs. Manipulative experiments show that reefs provide a complex substrate for settlement and survival and therefore benefit red macroalga. These experiments also show that the invasive reef builder has negative indirect effects on green macroalgae by increasing grazing and probably by increased sedimentation between reefs. Via these direct and indirect effects, reefs change the relative biomass contribution of each macroalgal species to the overall production in the lagoon. Knowledge of these processes is important not only for predicting net effects on primary production but also because changes in macroalgal species composition may produce effects that cascade through the food web.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of an invasive reef-building polychaete on the biomass and composition of estuarine macroalgal assemblages

2011

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“…In the field, microscopic algal stages such as kelp spores, gametophytes or juvenile sporophytes are subjected to a multitude of factors potentially acting synergistically or antagonistically as has been shown in diverse studies on kelps (Vadas et al 1992;Amsler et al 2007;Merzouk and Johnson 2011). Although kelp gametophytes of prevailing Arctic species may not be threatened by global warming as upper survival temperatures are between 21 and 23°C (tom Dieck 1993), kelp survival may be negatively affected by interaction with other stressors (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Survival of early life history stages of Arctic kelps (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard) under multifactorial global change scenarios

et al. 2016

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Kelps (brown algae of the order Laminariales) build highly complex and productive underwater forests and possess microscopic and macroscopic life stages. The microscopic stages (spores, gametophytes, juvenile sporophytes) are usually more sensitive to environmental stressors and may form a bottleneck for the survival of the population. Future Arctic kelp forests will be especially affected by elevated temperatures and increased sedimentation. Knowledge on grazer impact is still rudimentary. In order to investigate how global change in interaction with grazing may shape future Arctic kelp systems, we performed laboratory experiments (2 9 3 9 2 factorial design) on early life stages of the kelps Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata and Saccharina latissima from Arctic Kongsfjorden (Svalbard). Spores were exposed to ambient and elevated summer temperatures in combination with 3 levels of sediment and 2 levels of grazing by the limpet Margarites helicinus. The germination and formation of juvenile sporophytes were strongly inhibited in all species with increasing sediment cover, clearly showing the strongest negative effect on sporophyte development of all tested variables. Grazers interacted with temperature and sedimentation-affecting kelps in a species-specific way.They had a strong impact on the number of developing sporophytes partially counteracting the negative impact of sedimentation. We conclude that the structure of kelp communities can be shaped by abiotic and biotic variables acting on early developmental stages and that global warming has the potential to alter the strengths and direction of these effects, which may lead to future shifts in the community structure.

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“…Many epibionts (fouling organisms) are capable of active settlement choice and rely heavily upon physical, biological, and chemical surface cues for locating suitable substrata (Characklis & Cooksey, 1983;Wahl, 1989;Amsler et al, 1992;Callow & Fletcher, 1994;Johnson, 1994;Hay, 1996;Callow & Callow, 2000;Callow et al, 2002). In turn, many basibiont (host) marine organisms possess characteristics which affect fouling organisms' sensory impressions of the environmental in such a way so as to minimize fouling of the hosts' surface (see Davis et al, 1989;Wahl, 1989;McClintock & Baker, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Individual and Coupled Effects of Echinoderm Extracts and Surface Hydrophobicity on Spore Settlement and Germination in the Brown AlgaHincksia irregularis

et al. 2003

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Marine substrata possess cues that influence the behavior of fouling organisms. Initial adhesion of fouling algal zoospores to surfaces is also theorized to depend primarily upon interactions between substrata and spore cell bodies and flagellar membranes. In an effort to identify cues and surface characteristics that influence spore settlement and early development, the effects of bioactive echinoderm extracts, surface charge, and surface hydrophobicity were examined individually and in tandem on zoospore settlement and germination in Hincksia irregularis. Experiments utilizing 96-well plastic culture plates confirmed that spore settlement and germination were significantly affected by surface charge and hydrophobicity as well as by echinoderm metabolites, both individually and in tandem. Spore settlement rates in the dark over 30 min were > 400% higher on hydrophobic surfaces than on positively and negatively charged surfaces. Spore germling numbers were > 300% higher on hydrophobic surfaces than on positively and negatively charged surfaces when spores were allowed to settle in the light for 30 min and the settled spores allowed to subsequently germinate for 24 h. Spore germling numbers were consistently > 25% higher on hydrophobic surfaces than on positively and negatively charged surfaces when equal numbers of spores were allowed to completely settle in the light and subsequently germinate for 24 h. H. irregularis germ tube lengths were also significantly longer on positively charged plates than on negatively charged plates. All echinoderm extracts tested had significant effects on germination and settlement at levels below those of estimated ecological concentrations. Short-term (30 min) exposure and subsequent germination experiments indicated that higher concentrations of extracts had rapid toxic effects on algal spores. Synchronous effects of echinoderm extracts and plate charge upon spore settlement varied considerably and did not show a strong dose response relationship. Long-term (24 h) exposure of spores to echinoderm extracts had dosage dependent effects on germination and spore survival. The results of this study indicate that H. irregularis spores possess the capacity for complex responses to their environment, utilizing combined cues of surface charge, surface energy and biochemistry to determine where to settle and germinate. These responses may aid spores in the detection of suitable substrata and conditions for settlement in the marine environment.

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The microclimate inhabited by macroalgal propagules

Cited by 94 publications

References 128 publications

Effects of an invasive reef-building polychaete on the biomass and composition of estuarine macroalgal assemblages

Effects of an invasive reef-building polychaete on the biomass and composition of estuarine macroalgal assemblages

Survival of early life history stages of Arctic kelps (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard) under multifactorial global change scenarios

Individual and Coupled Effects of Echinoderm Extracts and Surface Hydrophobicity on Spore Settlement and Germination in the Brown AlgaHincksia irregularis

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