The role of kelp species as biogenic habitat formers in coastal marine ecosystems

Abstract

26Kelps are ecologically important primary producers and ecosystem engineers, and play a central role 27 in structuring nearshore temperate habitats. They play an important role in nutrient cycling, energy 28 capture and transfer, and provide biogenic coastal defence. Kelps also provide extensive substrata 29 for colonising organisms, ameliorate conditions for understorey assemblages, and provide three-30 dimensional habitat structure for a vast array of marine plants and animals, including a number of 31 commercially important species. Here, we review and synthesise existing knowledge on the 32 functioning of kelp species as biogenic habitat providers. We examine biodiversity patterns 33 associated with kelp holdfasts, stipes and blades, as well as the wider understorey habitat, and 34 search for generality between kelp species and biogeographic regions. Environmental factors 35 influencing biogenic habitat provision and the structure of associated assemblages are considered, 36 as are current threats to kelp-dominated ecosystems. Despite considerable variability between 37 species and regions, kelps are key habitat-forming species that support elevated levels of 38 biodiversity, diverse and abundant assemblages and facilitate trophic linkages. Enhanced 39 appreciation and better management of kelp forests are vital for ensuring sustainability of ecological 40 goods and services derived from temperate marine ecosystems. 41

The importance of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation in driving intraspecific variability in thermal niches of marine macrophytes

“…Perhaps the most notable is a ~ 1250 km range contraction of the intertidal fucoid, Fucus vesiculosus, from Morocco polewards to the mid Iberian Peninsula over a 30 yr period (Nicastro et al 2013). Many marine macrophytes are foundation species that provide habitat and resources for other species and structure entire communities and ecosystems (Steneck et al 2002, Teagle et al 2017. Therefore, the ecological implications of macrophyte population losses are far-reaching.…”

Biodiversity and ecosystem services in Nordic coastal ecosystems

“…On the seafloor, kelp (e.g. Laminaria hyperborea and Saccharina latissima, Box 10) are important habitat forming species (Teagle et al, 2017) that create large underwater forests. Under the canopy of these forests, several brown, red, and green algae of various sizes thrive, some even growing on the kelp itself (epiphytes).…”

“…Blue forests are underwater coastal ecosystems that are particularly important as primary producers and ecosystem engineers, and they play a central role in structuring coastal habitats (Teagle et al, 2017). The Nordic blue forests consist of habitats such as kelp forests and sea grass meadows ( fig.…”

Explaining Ocean Warming: Causes, scale, effects and consequences

“…Highly productive macroalgae are common on rocky shores; the overall productivity of rocky habitats tends to be an order of magnitude higher than sedimentary ones (Bourget and Ricciardi, 1999). Habitat amelioration by seaweed canopies (Thompson et al, 1996;Moore et al, 2007;Teagle et al, 2016;Walls et al, 2016) and trophic exchange (Menge et al, 1997) can lead to successional development of diverse benthic and pelagic marine communities. Detached macroalgae can even subsidise low productivity of terrestrial ecosystems by export through strandlines (Ince et al, 2007).…”

“…This combination of impacts is already having considerable negative impacts on rocky shore communities, particularly by causing declines of canopy-forming algae, and instead favouring proliferation of fast-growing ephemeral algae and invasive species (Airoldi, 2003;Connell et al, 2008;Perkol-Finkel and Airoldi, 2010;Airoldi and Bulleri, 2011). Algal canopies confer resilience to climate change for other organisms by providing refuge habitat and ameliorating local ambient conditions (Thompson et al, 1996;Moore et al, 2007;Teagle et al, 2016;Walls et al, 2016). Their loss, therefore, increases stress on more delicate understorey algae and invertebrates with community-and ecosystemlevel implications.…”