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Starko S, van der Mheen M, Pessarrodona A, Wood GV, Filbee-Dexter K, Neufeld CJ, Montie S, Coleman MA, Wernberg T. Impacts of marine heatwaves in coastal ecosystems depend on local environmental conditions. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17469. [PMID: 39155748 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves (MHWs), increasing in duration and intensity because of climate change, are now a major threat to marine life and can have lasting effects on the structure and function of ecosystems. However, the responses of marine taxa and ecosystems to MHWs can be highly variable, making predicting and interpreting biological outcomes a challenge. Here, we review how biological responses to MHWs, from individuals to ecosystems, are mediated by fine-scale spatial variability in the coastal marine environment (hereafter, local gradients). Viewing observed responses through a lens of ecological theory, we present a simple framework of three 'resilience processes' (RPs) by which local gradients can influence the responses of marine taxa to MHWs. Local gradients (1) influence the amount of stress directly experienced by individuals, (2) facilitate local adaptation and acclimatization of individuals and populations, and (3) shape community composition which then influences responses to MHWs. We then synthesize known examples of fine-scale gradients that have affected responses of benthic foundation species to MHWs, including kelp forests, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows and link these varying responses to the RPs. We present a series of case studies from various marine ecosystems to illustrate the differential impacts of MHWs mediated by gradients in both temperature and other co-occurring drivers. In many cases, these gradients had large effect sizes with several examples of local gradients causing a 10-fold difference in impacts or more (e.g., survival, coverage). This review highlights the need for high-resolution environmental data to accurately predict and manage the consequences of MHWs in the context of ongoing climate change. While current tools may capture some of these gradients already, we advocate for enhanced monitoring and finer scale integration of local environmental heterogeneity into climate models. This will be essential for developing effective conservation strategies and mitigating future marine biodiversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Starko
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mirjam van der Mheen
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Albert Pessarrodona
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Georgina V Wood
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Karen Filbee-Dexter
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, Flødevigen Research Station, His, Norway
| | | | - Shinae Montie
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Melinda A Coleman
- Department of Primary Industries New South Wales, National Marine Sciences Centre, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, Flødevigen Research Station, His, Norway
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2
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Foulk A, Gouhier T, Choi F, Torossian JL, Matzelle A, Sittenfeld D, Helmuth B. Physiologically informed organismal climatologies reveal unexpected spatiotemporal trends in temperature. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coae025. [PMID: 38779431 PMCID: PMC11109819 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Body temperature is universally recognized as a dominant driver of biological performance. Although the critical distinction between the temperature of an organism and its surrounding habitat has long been recognized, it remains common practice to assume that trends in air temperature-collected via remote sensing or weather stations-are diagnostic of trends in animal temperature and thus of spatiotemporal patterns of physiological stress and mortality risk. Here, by analysing long-term trends recorded by biomimetic temperature sensors designed to emulate intertidal mussel temperature across the US Pacific Coast, we show that trends in maximal organismal temperature ('organismal climatologies') during aerial exposure can differ substantially from those exhibited by co-located environmental data products. Specifically, using linear regression to compare maximal organismal and environmental (air temperature) climatologies, we show that not only are the magnitudes of body and air temperature markedly different, as expected, but so are their temporal trends at both local and biogeographic scales, with some sites showing significant decadal-scale increases in organismal temperature despite reductions in air temperature, or vice versa. The idiosyncratic relationship between the spatiotemporal patterns of organismal and air temperatures suggests that environmental climatology cannot be statistically corrected to serve as an accurate proxy for organismal climatology. Finally, using quantile regression, we show that spatiotemporal trends vary across the distribution of organismal temperature, with extremes shifting in different directions and at different rates than average metrics. Overall, our results highlight the importance of quantifying changes in the entire distribution of temperature to better predict biological performance and dispel the notion that raw or 'corrected' environmental (and specially air temperature) climatologies can be used to predict organismal temperature trends. Hence, despite their widespread coverage and availability, the severe limitations of environmental climatologies suggest that their role in conservation and management policy should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Foulk
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Tarik Gouhier
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Francis Choi
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Jessica L Torossian
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
- Volpe Center, U.S. Department of Transportation, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Allison Matzelle
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - David Sittenfeld
- Center for the Environment, Museum of Science, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brian Helmuth
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
- School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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3
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Almeida-Saá AC, Umanzor S, Zertuche-González JA, Cruz-López R, Muñiz-Salazar R, Ferreira-Arrieta A, Bonet Melià P, García-Pantoja JA, Rangel-Mendoza LK, Vivanco-Bercovich M, Ruiz-Montoya L, Guzmán-Calderón JM, Sandoval-Gil JM. Bathymetric origin shapes the physiological responses of Pterygophora californica (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) to deep marine heatwaves. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:483-502. [PMID: 38264946 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Kelp communities are experiencing exacerbated heat-related impacts from more intense, frequent, and deeper marine heatwaves (MHWs), imperiling the long-term survival of kelp forests in the climate change scenario. The occurrence of deep thermal anomalies is of critical importance, as elevated temperatures can impact kelp populations across their entire bathymetric range. This study evaluates the impact of MHWs on mature sporophytes of Pterygophora californica (walking kelp) from the bathymetric extremes (8-10 vs. 25-27 m) of a population situated in Baja California (Mexico). The location is near the southernmost point of the species's broad distribution (from Alaska to Mexico). The study investigated the ecophysiological responses (e.g., photobiology, nitrate uptake, oxidative stress) and growth of adult sporophytes through a two-phase experiment: warming simulating a MHW and a post-MHW phase without warming. Generally, the effects of warming differed depending on the bathymetric origin of the sporophytes. The MHW facilitated essential metabolic functions of deep-water sporophytes, including photosynthesis, and promoted their growth. In contrast, shallow-water sporophytes displayed metabolic stress, reduced growth, and oxidative damage. Upon the cessation of warming, certain responses, such as a decline in nitrate uptake and net productivity, became evident in shallow-water sporophytes, implying a delay in heat-stress response. This indicates that variation in temperatures can result in more prominent effects than warming alone. The greater heat tolerance of sporophytes in deeper waters shows convincing evidence that deep portions of P. californica populations have the potential to serve as refuges from the harmful impacts of MHWs on shallow reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella C Almeida-Saá
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Schery Umanzor
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Cruz-López
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Raquel Muñiz-Salazar
- Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Paula Bonet Melià
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Laura K Rangel-Mendoza
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Manuel Vivanco-Bercovich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | - Leonardo Ruiz-Montoya
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
| | | | - Jose Miguel Sandoval-Gil
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Mexico
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4
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Sannassy Pilly S, Roche RC, Richardson LE, Turner JR. Depth variation in benthic community response to repeated marine heatwaves on remote Central Indian Ocean reefs. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231246. [PMID: 38545610 PMCID: PMC10966399 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Coral reefs are increasingly impacted by climate-induced warming events. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the variation in the response of shallow coral reef communities to thermal stress across depths. Here, we assess depth-dependent changes in coral reef benthic communities following successive marine heatwaves from 2015 to 2017 across a 5-25 m depth gradient in the remote Chagos Archipelago, Central Indian Ocean. Our analyses show an overall decline in hard and soft coral cover and an increase in crustose coralline algae, sponge and reef pavement following successive marine heatwaves on the remote reef system. Our findings indicate that the changes in benthic communities in response to elevated seawater temperatures varied across depths. We found greater changes in benthic group cover at shallow depths (5-15 m) compared with deeper zones (15-25 m). The loss of hard coral cover was better predicted by initial thermal stress, while the loss of soft coral was associated with repeated thermal stress following successive warming events. Our study shows that benthic communities extending to 25 m depth were impacted by successive marine heatwaves, supporting concerns about the resilience of shallow coral reef communities to increasingly severe climate-driven warming events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ronan C. Roche
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, BangorLL59 5AB, UK
| | | | - John R. Turner
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, BangorLL59 5AB, UK
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5
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Bell JJ, Micaroni V, Harris B, Strano F, Broadribb M, Rogers A. Global status, impacts, and management of rocky temperate mesophotic ecosystems. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e13945. [PMID: 35587786 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ecology and function of rocky temperate mesophotic ecosystems (TMEs) remain poorly understood globally despite their widespread distribution. They typically occur at 20-150 m (the limit of photosynthesis), and on rocky substratum they support rich benthic communities and mobile fauna. We determined the distribution of rocky TMEs, their conservation status, and their most characteristic biological groups. Rocky TMEs were dominated by algae, turf-invertebrate matrices (<50 m only), sponges, bryozoans, and cnidarians. The community composition of TMEs differed significantly from shallow (0-15 m) subtidal reefs. Data were geographically biased and variable, available only from the North and South Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Temperate Australasia. Degree of protection of rocky TMEs varied considerably across the world. The biggest threats to rocky TMEs were identified changes in temperature, sedimentation rates, nutrient concentrations, and certain fishing types. We propose a conservation framework to inform future rocky TME management and conservation, highlighting the need to recognize the importance of these biologically diverse and functionally important ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Valerio Micaroni
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Harris
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Francesca Strano
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Manon Broadribb
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alice Rogers
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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6
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Diaz C, Foster NL, Attrill MJ, Bolton A, Ganderton P, Howell KL, Robinson E, Hosegood P. Mesophotic coral bleaching associated with changes in thermocline depth. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6528. [PMID: 37845210 PMCID: PMC10579316 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
As global temperatures continue to rise, shallow coral reef bleaching has become more intense and widespread. Mesophotic coral ecosystems reside in deeper (30-150 m), cooler water and were thought to offer a refuge to shallow-water reefs. Studies now show that mesophotic coral ecosystems instead have limited connectivity with shallow corals but host diverse endemic communities. Given their extensive distribution and high biodiversity, understanding their susceptibility to warming oceans is imperative. In this multidisciplinary study of an atoll in the Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean, we show evidence of coral bleaching at 90 m, despite the absence of shallow-water bleaching. We also show that the bleaching was associated with sustained thermocline deepening driven by the Indian Ocean Dipole, which might be further enhanced by internal waves whose influence varied at a sub-atoll scale. Our results demonstrate the potential vulnerability of mesophotic coral ecosystems to thermal stress and highlight the need for oceanographic knowledge to predict bleaching susceptibility and heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Diaz
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - Nicola L Foster
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
| | - Martin J Attrill
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Adam Bolton
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Peter Ganderton
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Kerry L Howell
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Edward Robinson
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Phil Hosegood
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
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7
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Martin BC, Giraldo-Ospina A, Bell S, Cambridge M, Fraser MW, Gibbons B, Harvey ES, Kendrick GA, Langlois T, Spencer C, Hovey RK. Deep meadows: Deep-water seagrass habitats revealed. Ecology 2023; 104:e4150. [PMID: 37523230 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda C Martin
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Ooid Scientific, North Lake, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ana Giraldo-Ospina
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Sahira Bell
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, WA Government, Kensington, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Marion Cambridge
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Matthew W Fraser
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Flourishing Oceans, Minderoo Foundation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Brooke Gibbons
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gary A Kendrick
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tim Langlois
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Claude Spencer
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Renae K Hovey
- The UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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8
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Dawson MN, Duffin PJ, Giakoumis M, Schiebelhut LM, Beas-Luna R, Bosley KL, Castilho R, Ewers-Saucedo C, Gavenus KA, Keller A, Konar B, Largier JL, Lorda J, Miner CM, Moritsch MM, Navarrete SA, Traiger SB, Turner MS, Wares JP. A Decade of Death and Other Dynamics: Deepening Perspectives on the Diversity and Distribution of Sea Stars and Wasting. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2023; 244:143-163. [PMID: 38457680 DOI: 10.1086/727969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
AbstractMass mortality events provide valuable insight into biological extremes and also ecological interactions more generally. The sea star wasting epidemic that began in 2013 catalyzed study of the microbiome, genetics, population dynamics, and community ecology of several high-profile species inhabiting the northeastern Pacific but exposed a dearth of information on the diversity, distributions, and impacts of sea star wasting for many lesser-known sea stars and a need for integration across scales. Here, we combine datasets from single-site to coast-wide studies, across time lines from weeks to decades, for 65 species. We evaluated the impacts of abiotic characteristics hypothetically associated with sea star wasting (sea surface temperature, pelagic primary productivity, upwelling wind forcing, wave exposure, freshwater runoff) and species characteristics (depth distribution, developmental mode, diet, habitat, reproductive period). We find that the 2010s sea star wasting outbreak clearly affected a little over a dozen species, primarily intertidal and shallow subtidal taxa, causing instantaneous wasting prevalence rates of 5%-80%. Despite the collapse of some populations within weeks, environmental and species variation protracted the outbreak, which lasted 2-3 years from onset until declining to chronic background rates of ∼2% sea star wasting prevalence. Recruitment began immediately in many species, and in general, sea star assemblages trended toward recovery; however, recovery was heterogeneous, and a marine heatwave in 2019 raised concerns of a second decline. The abiotic stressors most associated with the 2010s sea star wasting outbreak were elevated sea surface temperature and low wave exposure, as well as freshwater discharge in the north. However, detailed data speaking directly to the biological, ecological, and environmental cause(s) and consequences of the sea star wasting outbreak remain limited in scope, unavoidably retrospective, and perhaps always indeterminate. Redressing this shortfall for the future will require a broad spectrum of monitoring studies not less than the taxonomically broad cross-scale framework we have modeled in this synthesis.
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9
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Whalen MA, Starko S, Lindstrom SC, Martone PT. Heatwave restructures marine intertidal communities across a stress gradient. Ecology 2023; 104:e4027. [PMID: 36897574 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Significant questions remain about how ecosystems that are structured by abiotic stress will be affected by climate change. Warmer temperatures are hypothesized to shift species along abiotic gradients such that distributions track changing environments where physical conditions allow. However, community-scale impacts of extreme warming in heterogeneous landscapes are likely to be more complex. We investigated the impacts of a multiyear marine heatwave on intertidal community dynamics and zonation on a wave-swept rocky coastline along the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Leveraging an 8-year time series with high seaweed taxonomic resolution (116 taxa) that was established 3 years prior to the heatwave, we document major shifts in zonation and abundance of populations that led to substantial reorganization at the community level. The heatwave was associated with shifts in primary production away from upper elevations through declines in seaweed cover and partial replacement by invertebrates. At low elevations, seaweed cover remained stable or recovered rapidly following decline, being balanced by increases in some species and decreases in others. These results illustrate that, rather than shifting community zonation uniformly along abiotic stress gradients, intense and lasting warming events may restructure patterns of ecological dominance and reduce total habitability of ecosystems, especially at extreme ends of pre-existing abiotic gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Whalen
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Hakai Institute, End of Kwakshua Channel, Calvert Island, BC, Canada
| | - Samuel Starko
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- UWA Ocean Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Sandra C Lindstrom
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Hakai Institute, End of Kwakshua Channel, Calvert Island, BC, Canada
| | - Patrick T Martone
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Hakai Institute, End of Kwakshua Channel, Calvert Island, BC, Canada
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10
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Graham OJ, Stephens T, Rappazzo B, Klohmann C, Dayal S, Adamczyk EM, Olson A, Hessing-Lewis M, Eisenlord M, Yang B, Burge C, Gomes CP, Harvell D. Deeper habitats and cooler temperatures moderate a climate-driven seagrass disease. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220016. [PMID: 36744566 PMCID: PMC9900705 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Eelgrass creates critical coastal habitats worldwide and fulfills essential ecosystem functions as a foundation seagrass. Climate warming and disease threaten eelgrass, causing mass mortalities and cascading ecological impacts. Subtidal meadows are deeper than intertidal and may also provide refuge from the temperature-sensitive seagrass wasting disease. From cross-boundary surveys of 5761 eelgrass leaves from Alaska to Washington and assisted with a machine-language algorithm, we measured outbreak conditions. Across summers 2017 and 2018, disease prevalence was 16% lower for subtidal than intertidal leaves; in both tidal zones, disease risk was lower for plants in cooler conditions. Even in subtidal meadows, which are more environmentally stable and sheltered from temperature and other stressors common for intertidal eelgrass, we observed high disease levels, with half of the sites exceeding 50% prevalence. Models predicted reduced disease prevalence and severity under cooler conditions, confirming a strong interaction between disease and temperature. At both tidal zones, prevalence was lower in more dense eelgrass meadows, suggesting disease is suppressed in healthy, higher density meadows. These results underscore the value of subtidal eelgrass and meadows in cooler locations as refugia, indicate that cooling can suppress disease, and have implications for eelgrass conservation and management under future climate change scenarios. This article is part of the theme issue 'Infectious disease ecology and evolution in a changing world'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J. Graham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0001, USA
| | | | - Brendan Rappazzo
- Department of Computer Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Corinne Klohmann
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0001, USA
| | - Sukanya Dayal
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA,Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, NC 28403-5915, USA
| | - Emily M. Adamczyk
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Unceded xməθkəy̓əm (Musqueam) Territory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Angeleen Olson
- Hakai Institute, Calvert Island, P.O. Box 25039, Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada V9W 0B7
| | - Margot Hessing-Lewis
- Hakai Institute, Calvert Island, P.O. Box 25039, Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada V9W 0B7
| | - Morgan Eisenlord
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0001, USA
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95112, USA
| | - Colleen Burge
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Carla P. Gomes
- Department of Computer Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Drew Harvell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0001, USA
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11
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Giraldo Ospina A, Ruiz‐Montoya L, Kendrick GA, Hovey RK. Cross‐depth connectivity shows that deep kelps may act as refugia by reseeding climate‐vulnerable shallow beds. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
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12
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Hidden heatwaves and severe coral bleaching linked to mesoscale eddies and thermocline dynamics. Nat Commun 2023; 14:25. [PMID: 36609386 PMCID: PMC9822911 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35550-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The severity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) that are increasingly impacting ocean ecosystems, including vulnerable coral reefs, has primarily been assessed using remotely sensed sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), without information relevant to heating across ecosystem depths. Here, using a rare combination of SST, high-resolution in-situ temperatures, and sea level anomalies observed over 15 years near Moorea, French Polynesia, we document subsurface MHWs that have been paradoxical in comparison to SST metrics and associated with unexpected coral bleaching across depths. Variations in the depth range and severity of MHWs was driven by mesoscale (10s to 100s of km) eddies that altered sea levels and thermocline depths and decreased (2007, 2017 and 2019) or increased (2012, 2015, 2016) internal-wave cooling. Pronounced eddy-induced reductions in internal waves during early 2019 contributed to a prolonged subsurface MHW and unexpectedly severe coral bleaching, with subsequent mortality offsetting almost a decade of coral recovery. Variability in mesoscale eddy fields, and thus thermocline depths, is expected to increase with climate change, which, along with strengthening and deepening stratification, could increase the occurrence of subsurface MHWs over ecosystems historically insulated from surface ocean heating by the cooling effects of internal waves.
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Cheung-Wong RWY, Kotta J, Hemraj DA, Russell BD. Persistence in a tropical transition zone? Sargassum forests alternate seasonal growth forms to maintain productivity in warming waters at the expense of annual biomass production. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158154. [PMID: 35995150 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158154] [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: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Macroalgal forests provide productivity and biomass that underpins the function of many coastal ecosystems globally. The phenology of forests is seasonally driven by environmental conditions, with the environment-productivity relationship understood for most coastlines of the world. Climatic transition zones, however, have characteristics of temperate and tropical regions, creating large fluctuations in environmental conditions, and potentially limiting productivity and the persistence of macroalgal forests. The response of a forest-forming, dimorphic seaweed (Sargassum hemiphyllum) to seasonal temperature and light conditions in a rapidly warming tropical-temperate transitional zone (Hong Kong) was quantified by measuring in situ growth, net primary productivity (NPP), respiration, and photosynthetic potential. These physiological responses of S. hemiphyllum were then experimentally tested in response to changing temperatures (16.5-27 °C) and irradiances (20, 110, and 300 μmol m-2 s-1) in laboratory mesocosms. In contrast to predictions, S. hemiphyllum demonstrated asynchronous NPP and growth patterns, with growth maximized in cooler conditions but, counter-intuitively, highest photosynthetic rates in summer after annual senescence and dormancy were established. This discrepancy between peak photosynthetic rates and growth may provide regional populations of S. hemiphyllum the ability to survive higher temperatures in the near future, resisting the predicted range shifts under ocean warming. In contrast, warming is likely to drive a shorter growth season, longer dormancy, and reduced annual biomass production in bi-phasic seaweeds inhabiting climatic transition zones, potentially reducing system-wide productivity of these algal forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhyn W Y Cheung-Wong
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jonne Kotta
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Deevesh A Hemraj
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bayden D Russell
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; The Dove Marine Laboratory, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
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Pérez-Rosales G, Hernández-Agreda A, Bongaerts P, Rouzé H, Pichon M, Carlot J, Torda G, Parravicini V, Hédouin L. Mesophotic depths hide high coral cover communities in French Polynesia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157049. [PMID: 35780903 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157049] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rapid decline of shallow coral reefs has increased the interest in the long-understudied mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs). However, MCEs are usually characterised by rather low to moderate scleractinian coral cover, with only a few descriptions of high coral cover at depth. Here, we explored eight islands across French Polynesia over a wide depth range (6 to 120 m) to identify coral cover hotspots at mesophotic depths and the co-occurrent biotic groups and abiotic factors that influence such high scleractinian cover. Using Bayesian modelling, we found that 20 out of 64 of studied deep sites exhibited a coral cover higher than expected in the mesophotic range (e.g. as high as 81.8 % at 40 m, 74.5 % at 60 m, 53 % at 90 m and 42 % at 120 m vs the average expected values based on the model of 31.2 % at 40 m, 22.8 % at 60 m, 14.6 % at 90 m and 9.8 % at 120 m). Omitting the collinear factors light-irradiance and depth, these 'hotspots' of coral cover corresponded to mesophotic sites and depths characterised by hard substrate, a steep to moderate slope, and the dominance of laminar corals. Our work unveils the presence of unexpectedly and unique high coral cover communities at mesophotic depths in French Polynesia, highlighting the importance of expanding the research on deeper depths for the potential relevance in the conservation management of tropical coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Pérez-Rosales
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia; PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France.
| | | | - Pim Bongaerts
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Héloïse Rouzé
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia; Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam 96923, USA
| | - Michel Pichon
- Biodiversity Section, Queensland Museum, Townsville 4811, Australia
| | - Jérémy Carlot
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Gergely Torda
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Valeriano Parravicini
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France
| | - Laetitia Hédouin
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia; PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France
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Starko S, Neufeld CJ, Gendall L, Timmer B, Campbell L, Yakimishyn J, Druehl L, Baum JK. Microclimate predicts kelp forest extinction in the face of direct and indirect marine heatwave effects. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2673. [PMID: 35584048 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves threaten the persistence of kelp forests globally. However, the observed responses of kelp forests to these events have been highly variable on local scales. Here, we synthesize distribution data from an environmentally diverse region to examine spatial patterns of canopy kelp persistence through an unprecedented marine heatwave. We show that, although often overlooked, temperature variation occurring at fine spatial scales (i.e., a few kilometers or less) can be a critical driver of kelp forest persistence during these events. Specifically, though kelp forests nearly all persisted toward the cool outer coast, inshore areas were >3°C warmer at the surface and experienced extensive kelp loss. Although temperatures remained cool at depths below the thermocline, kelp persistence in these thermal refugia was strongly constrained by biotic interactions, specifically urchin populations that increased during the heatwave and drove transitions to urchin barrens in deeper rocky habitat. Urchins were, however, largely absent from mixed sand and cobble benthos, leading to an unexpected association between bottom substrate and kelp forest persistence at inshore sites with warm surface waters. Our findings demonstrate both that warm microclimates increase the risk of habitat loss during marine heatwaves and that biotic interactions modified by these events will modulate the capacity of cool microclimates to serve as thermal refugia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Starko
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher J Neufeld
- Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lianna Gendall
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Brian Timmer
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lily Campbell
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jennifer Yakimishyn
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada, Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Louis Druehl
- Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Kelp Resources, Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julia K Baum
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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MacDonald C, Pinheiro HT, Shepherd B, Phelps TAY, Rocha LA. Disturbance and distribution gradients influence resource availability and feeding behaviours in corallivore fishes following a warm-water anomaly. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23656. [PMID: 34880357 PMCID: PMC8654952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03061-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding interactions between spatial gradients in disturbances, species distributions and species’ resilience mechanisms is critical to identifying processes that mediate environmental change. On coral reefs, a global expansion of coral bleaching is likely to drive spatiotemporal pulses in resource quality for obligate coral associates. Using technical diving and statistical modelling we evaluated how depth gradients in coral distribution, coral bleaching, and competitor density interact with the quality, preference and use of coral resources by corallivore fishes immediately following a warm-water anomaly. Bleaching responses varied among coral genera and depths but attenuated substantially between 3 and 47 m for key prey genera (Acropora and Pocillopora). While total coral cover declined with depth, the cover of pigmented corals increased slightly. The abundances of three focal obligate-corallivore butterflyfish species also decreased with depth and were not related to spatial patterns in coral bleaching. Overall, all species selectively foraged on pigmented corals. However, the most abundant species avoided feeding on bleached corals more successfully in deeper waters, where bleaching prevalence and conspecific densities were lower. These results suggest that, as coral bleaching increases, energy trade-offs related to distributions and resource acquisition will vary with depth for some coral-associated species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chancey MacDonald
- Department of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA, 90118, USA.
| | - Hudson T Pinheiro
- Department of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA, 90118, USA.,Center of Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, Rod. Dr. Manoel Hipólito do Rego, km 131.5, São Sebastião, SP, 11612-109, Brazil
| | - Bart Shepherd
- Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA, 90118, USA
| | - Tyler A Y Phelps
- Department of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA, 90118, USA.,Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Luiz A Rocha
- Department of Ichthyology, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA, 90118, USA
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Pérez-Rosales G, Rouzé H, Torda G, Bongaerts P, Pichon M, Parravicini V, Hédouin L. Mesophotic coral communities escape thermal coral bleaching in French Polynesia. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210139. [PMID: 34804562 PMCID: PMC8580450 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and consequent coral bleaching are causing the disappearance of reef-building corals worldwide. While bleaching episodes significantly impact shallow waters, little is known about their impact on mesophotic coral communities. We studied the prevalence of coral bleaching two to three months after a heat stress event, along an extreme depth range from 6 to 90 m in French Polynesia. Bayesian modelling showed a decreasing probability of bleaching of all coral genera over depth, with little to no bleaching observed at lower mesophotic depths (greater than or equal to 60 m). We found that depth-generalist corals benefit more from increasing depth than depth-specialists (corals with a narrow depth range). Our data suggest that the reduced prevalence of bleaching with depth, especially from shallow to upper mesophotic depths (40 m), had a stronger relation with the light-irradiance attenuation than temperature. While acknowledging the geographical and temporal variability of the role of mesophotic reefs as spatial refuges during thermal stress, we ought to understand why coral bleaching reduces with depth. Future studies should consider repeated monitoring and detailed ecophysiological and environmental data. Our study demonstrated how increasing depth may offer a level of protection and that lower mesophotic communities could escape the impacts of a thermal bleaching event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Pérez-Rosales
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Héloïse Rouzé
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Gergely Torda
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Pim Bongaerts
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Michel Pichon
- Biodiversity Section, Queensland Museum, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | | | - Valeriano Parravicini
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Laetitia Hédouin
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013 Papetoai, 98729 Moorea, French Polynesia
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan, France
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18
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A state-space approach to understand responses of organisms, populations and communities to multiple environmental drivers. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1142. [PMID: 34593937 PMCID: PMC8484576 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02585-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the response of biotic systems to multiple environmental drivers is one of the major concerns in ecology. The most common approach in multiple driver research includes the classification of interactive responses into categories (antagonistic, synergistic). However, there are situations where the use of classification schemes limits our understanding or cannot be applied. Here, we introduce and explore an approach that allows us to better appreciate variability in responses to multiple drivers. We then apply it to a case, comparing effects of heatwaves on performance of a cold-adapted species and a warm-adapted competitor. The heatwaves had a negative effect on the native (but not on the exotic) species and the approach highlighted that the exotic species was less responsive to multivariate environmental variation than the native species. Overall, we show how the proposed approach can enhance our understanding of variation in responses due to different driver intensities, species, genotypes, ontogeny, life-phases or among spatial scales at any level of biological organization. Giménez et al. explore a “state-space” approach (SSEA) to examine variation in effects of multiple environmental drivers on biological systems. They illustrate the SSEA with a case study where larvae of an exotic crab were less responsive to an experimental heatwave than those of a native species.
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19
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Vranken S, Wernberg T, Scheben A, Severn-Ellis AA, Batley J, Bayer PE, Edwards D, Wheeler D, Coleman MA. Genotype-Environment mismatch of kelp forests under climate change. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:3730-3746. [PMID: 34018645 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is increasingly impacting ecosystems globally. Understanding adaptive genetic diversity and whether it will keep pace with projected climatic change is necessary to assess species' vulnerability and design efficient mitigation strategies such as assisted adaptation. Kelp forests are the foundations of temperate reefs globally but are declining in many regions due to climate stress. A lack of knowledge of kelp's adaptive genetic diversity hinders assessment of vulnerability under extant and future climates. Using 4245 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we characterized patterns of neutral and putative adaptive genetic diversity for the dominant kelp in the southern hemisphere (Ecklonia radiata) from ~1000 km of coastline off Western Australia. Strong population structure and isolation-by-distance was underpinned by significant signatures of selection related to temperature and light. Gradient forest analysis of temperature-linked SNPs under selection revealed a strong association with mean annual temperature range, suggesting adaptation to local thermal environments. Critically, modelling revealed that predicted climate-mediated temperature changes will probably result in high genomic vulnerability via a mismatch between current and future predicted genotype-environment relationships such that kelp forests off Western Australia will need to significantly adapt to keep pace with projected climate change. Proactive management techniques such as assisted adaptation to boost resilience may be required to secure the future of these kelp forests and the immense ecological and economic values they support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Vranken
- UWA Oceans Institute, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- UWA Oceans Institute, Crawley, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
| | - Armin Scheben
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jacqueline Batley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Philipp Emanuel Bayer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - David Edwards
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - David Wheeler
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Melinda Ann Coleman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- New South Wales Fisheries, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
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20
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Gervais CR, Champion C, Pecl GT. Species on the move around the Australian coastline: A continental-scale review of climate-driven species redistribution in marine systems. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:3200-3217. [PMID: 33835618 PMCID: PMC8251616 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Climate-driven changes in the distribution of species are a pervasive and accelerating impact of climate change, and despite increasing research effort in this rapidly emerging field, much remains unknown or poorly understood. We lack a holistic understanding of patterns and processes at local, regional and global scales, with detailed explorations of range shifts in the southern hemisphere particularly under-represented. Australian waters encompass the world's third largest marine jurisdiction, extending from tropical to sub-Antarctic climate zones, and have waters warming at rates twice the global average in the north and two to four times in the south. Here, we report the results of a multi-taxon continent-wide review describing observed and predicted species redistribution around the Australian coastline, and highlight critical gaps in knowledge impeding our understanding of, and response to, these considerable changes. Since range shifts were first reported in the region in 2003, 198 species from nine Phyla have been documented shifting their distribution, 87.3% of which are shifting poleward. However, there is little standardization of methods or metrics reported in observed or predicted shifts, and both are hindered by a lack of baseline data. Our results demonstrate the importance of historical data sets and underwater visual surveys, and also highlight that approximately one-fifth of studies incorporated citizen science. These findings emphasize the important role the public has had, and can continue to play, in understanding the impact of climate change. Most documented shifts are of coastal fish species in sub-tropical and temperate systems, while tropical systems in general were poorly explored. Moreover, most distributional changes are only described at the poleward boundary, with few studies considering changes at the warmer, equatorward range limit. Through identifying knowledge gaps and research limitations, this review highlights future opportunities for strategic research effort to improve the representation of Australian marine species and systems in climate-impact research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor R. Gervais
- Department of Biological SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Curtis Champion
- Fisheries ResearchNSW Department of Primary IndustriesCoffs HarbourNSWAustralia
- Southern Cross UniversityNational Marine Science CentreCoffs HarbourNSWAustralia
| | - Gretta T. Pecl
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasAustralia
- Centre for Marine SocioecologyUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasAustralia
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21
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Giraldo-Ospina A, Kendrick GA, Hovey RK. Reproductive Output, Synchrony across Depth and Influence of Source Depth in the Development of Early Life stages of Kelp. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2021; 57:311-323. [PMID: 33150586 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecklonia radiata is the main foundation species in Australian temperate reefs, yet little has been published on its reproduction and how this may change across its depth range (1-50+ m). In this study, we examined differences in sporophyte morphology and zoospore production during a reproductive season and across four depths (7, 15, 25, and 40 m). Additionally, we examined differences in germination rate, survival, and morphological traits of gametophytes obtained from these four depths, cultured under the same light and temperature conditions. Multivariate morphology of sporophytes differed significantly between deep (~40 m) and shallow sites (7 and 15 m), but individual morphological traits were not significantly different across depths. Total spore production was similar across depths but the peak of zoospore release was observed in February at 15 m of depth (6,154 zoospores · mm-2 of tissue) and the minimum observed in January at 7, 25, and 40 m (1,141, 987, and 214 zoospores · mm-2 of tissue, respectively). The source depth of zoospores did not have an influence in the germination rate or the survival of gametophytes, and only gametophytes sourced from 40 m sites presented significantly less surface area and number of branches. Overall, these results indicate that E. radiata's reproductive performance does not change across its depth range and that kelp beds reproducing in deeper areas may contribute to the replenishment of their shallow counterparts. We propose that deep kelps may constitute a mechanism of resilience against climate change and anthropogenic disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Giraldo-Ospina
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 64 Fairway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Gary A Kendrick
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 64 Fairway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Renae K Hovey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 64 Fairway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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