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Arriaga O, Wawrzynkowski P, Muguerza N, Díez I, Gorostiaga JM, Quintano E, Becerro MA. The thermal journey of macroalgae: Four decades of temperature-induced changes in the southeastern Bay of Biscay. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 195:106351. [PMID: 38219379 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Global warming is triggering significant shifts in temperate macroalgal communities worldwide, favoring small, warm-affinity species over large canopy-forming, cold-affinity species. The Cantabrian Sea, a region acutely impacted by climate change, is also witnessing this shift. This study delved into the impacts of increasing sea surface temperature on the subtidal macroalgal communities in the southeastern Bay of Biscay over the last four decades, by using data from the years 1982, 2007, 2014, and 2020. We found that temperature has shaped the community structure, with warm-affinity species steadily displacing their cold-affinity counterparts. Notably, new communities exhibited a profusion of smaller algal species, explaining the observed increased biodiversity within the area. In the last period investigated (2014-2020), we observed a partial recovery of the communities, coinciding with cooler sea surface temperatures. Shallow algal communities were more reactive to temperature variations than deeper communities, possibly associated with higher exposure to increased temperatures. Our study offered insights into the intricate relationship between the changes in ocean temperature and algal species in the southeastern Bay of Biscay, shedding light on the ongoing ecological shifts in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Arriaga
- Laboratory of Botany, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Fac. of Science and Technology & Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology PIE-UPV/EHU, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - P Wawrzynkowski
- The BITES Lab, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Access Cala S Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, Girona, E-17003, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - N Muguerza
- Laboratory of Botany, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Fac. of Science and Technology & Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology PIE-UPV/EHU, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - I Díez
- Laboratory of Botany, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Fac. of Science and Technology & Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology PIE-UPV/EHU, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - J M Gorostiaga
- Laboratory of Botany, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Fac. of Science and Technology & Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology PIE-UPV/EHU, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - E Quintano
- Laboratory of Botany, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Fac. of Science and Technology & Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology PIE-UPV/EHU, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - M A Becerro
- The BITES Lab, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Access Cala S Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Girona, Spain.
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