Multiple climate-driven cascading ecosystem effects after the loss of a foundation species

Marine heatwaves (MHW) are becoming stronger and more frequent across the globe. MHWs affect the thermal physiology of all biological organisms, but wider ecosystem effects are particularly impactful when large habitat-forming foundation species such as kelps are affected. Many studies on impacts from MHWs on kelps have focused on temperature effects in isolation, except for a few studies that have integrated co-occurring stress from grazers, wave exposure and nutrient limitation. It is likely that many stressors act in concert with MHWs and exacerbate their effects. Here we analyzed satellite images over 60 months to assess temporal changes in abundance of surface canopies of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera in the New Zealand coastal zone. The analysis encompassed the most extreme MHW on record (2017/18), across a 6° latitudinal gradient of four regions southward from the northern distributional limit of Macrocystis along mainland New Zealand. We tested the association of surface canopy cover of Macrocystis with sea surface temperature, temperature anomalies, chlorophyll-a (a proxy for nutrient availability) and water clarity (diffuse attenuation coefficient). We found a reduced cover of Macrocystis across all regions during and after the 2017/18 MHW, with least impact at the most southern region where the maximum temperatures did not exceed 18°C. There was also an important and significant interaction between temperature and water clarity, showing that temperature-induced kelp loss was greater when water clarity was poor. These results show that notable negative effects occurred across the coastal range of this foundation species and highlight the importance of studying MHW effects across latitudinal gradients and in concert with other co-occurring stressors.

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Electron Microscopy in the Study of Natural Phytoplankton Assemblages

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100119831 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 620-623

Author(s):

Linda Sicko-Goad

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Aquatic Environment ◽

Size Range ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Specific Information ◽

Phytoplankton Assemblages ◽

Phytoplankton Productivity ◽

Ecosystem Effects ◽

Time Of Year ◽

Species Specific

Although the use of electron microscopy and its varied methodologies is not usually associated with ecological studies, the types of species specific information that can be generated by these techniques are often quite useful in predicting long-term ecosystem effects. The utility of these techniques is especially apparent when one considers both the size range of particles found in the aquatic environment and the complexity of the phytoplankton assemblages.The size range and character of organisms found in the aquatic environment are dependent upon a variety of physical parameters that include sampling depth, location, and time of year. In the winter months, all the Laurentian Great Lakes are uniformly mixed and homothermous in the range of 1.1 to 1.7°C. During this time phytoplankton productivity is quite low.

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Ecosystem effects of materials proposed for thin‑layer capping of contaminated sediments

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps09546 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 449 ◽

pp. 27-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

J Näslund ◽

GS Samuelsson ◽

JS Gunnarsson ◽

FJA Nascimento ◽

HC Nilsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thin Layer ◽

Contaminated Sediments ◽

Ecosystem Effects

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Nutrient production in rhodolith beds: impact of a foundation species and its associates

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps12513 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 590 ◽

pp. 53-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

LA McConnico ◽

G Hernández-Carmona ◽

R Riosmena-Rodríguez

Keyword(s):

Foundation Species

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Volcanic carbon dioxide vents show ecosystem effects of ocean acidification.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1115692.574916 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Frankham

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Ocean Acidification ◽

Ecosystem Effects

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Variation in disturbance to a foundation species structures the dynamics of a benthic reef community

Ecology ◽

10.1002/ecy.3304 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

A. Raine Detmer ◽

Robert J. Miller ◽

Daniel C. Reed ◽

Tom W. Bell ◽

Adrian C. Stier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Foundation Species ◽

Reef Community

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Local Adaptation in Marine Foundation Species at Microgeographic Scales

Biological Bulletin ◽

10.1086/714821 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000-000

Author(s):

C. G. Hays ◽

T. C. Hanley ◽

A. R. Hughes ◽

S. B. Truskey ◽

R. A. Zerebecki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Local Adaptation ◽

Foundation Species

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Growing up aspen: ontogeny and trade-offs shape growth, defence and reproduction in a foundation species

Annals of Botany ◽

10.1093/aob/mcaa070 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher T Cole ◽

Clay J Morrow ◽

Hilary L Barker ◽

Kennedy F Rubert-Nason ◽

Jennifer F L Riehl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intraspecific Variation ◽

Genotypic Variation ◽

Chemical Defence ◽

Extrafloral Nectaries ◽

Foundation Species ◽

Community Genetics ◽

Indirect Defence ◽

Juvenile Period ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Sex Marker

Abstract Background and Aims Intraspecific variation in foundation species of forest ecosystems can shape community and ecosystem properties, particularly when that variation has a genetic basis. Traits mediating interactions with other species are predicted by simple allocation models to follow ontogenetic patterns that are rarely studied in trees. The aim of this research was to identify the roles of genotype, ontogeny and genotypic trade-offs shaping growth, defence and reproduction in aspen. Methods We established a common garden replicating >500 aspen genets in Wisconsin, USA. Trees were measured through the juvenile period into the onset of reproduction, for growth, defence chemistry (phenolic glycosides and condensed tannins), nitrogen, extrafloral nectaries, leaf morphology (specific leaf area), flower production and foliar herbivory and disease. We also assayed the TOZ19 sex marker and heterozygosity at ten microsatellite loci. Key Results We found high levels of genotypic variation for all traits, and high heritabilities for both the traits and their ontogenetic trajectories. Ontogeny strongly shaped intraspecific variation, and trade-offs among growth, defence and reproduction supported some predictions while contradicting others. Both direct resistance (chemical defence) and indirect defence (extrafloral nectaries) declined during the juvenile stage, prior to the onset of reproduction. Reproduction was higher in trees that were larger, male and had higher individual heterozygosity. Growth was diminished by genotypic allocation to both direct and indirect defence as well as to reproduction, but we found no evidence of trade-offs between defence and reproduction. Conclusions Key traits affecting the ecological communities of aspen have high levels of genotypic variation and heritability, strong patterns of ontogeny and clear trade-offs among growth, defence and reproduction. The architecture of aspen’s community genetics – its ontogeny, trade-offs and especially its great variability – is shaped by both its broad range and the diverse community of associates, and in turn further fosters that diversity.

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Fish and invertebrate by-catch in the crab pot fishery in the Isle of Man, Irish Sea

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315417001643 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 98 (8) ◽

pp. 2099-2111

Author(s):

Fikret Öndes ◽

Michel J. Kaiser ◽

Lee G. Murray

Keyword(s):

Irish Sea ◽

Target Species ◽

Catch Per Unit Effort ◽

Isle Of Man ◽

Ecosystem Effects ◽

By Catch ◽

Catch Rates ◽

Taxonomic Groups ◽

Catch Composition ◽

Autumn And Winter

Baited trap or pot fisheries are considered to have relatively few wider ecosystem effects on the marine environment, particularly when compared with towed mobile fishing gear. However, this assumption is rarely tested in the field. This study aimed to determine the composition of non-target species that occur in crustacean pots and to assess spatial and temporal differences in catches in the waters around the Isle of Man, Irish Sea. The data were collected using fishery independent surveys and a questionnaire study. Based on fishery independent surveys, a total of five taxonomic groups and 43 species occurred as by-catch. The dominant by-catch species was velvet crab Necora puber. The by-catch per unit effort (BPUE) for all of the non-target species was low particularly in comparison to towed bottom gear fisheries around the Isle of Man. BPUE of species composition varied considerably between different locations around the Isle of Man. The results of both the fishery independent and questionnaire data suggested that the by-catch rates varied with season with peak BPUE occurring in spring which then declined into autumn and winter. By-catch composition did not decrease significantly with an increasing target species catch. Overall, by-catch was low relative to target species catch which may be partially attributable to the use of escape panels in pot fisheries in the Isle of Man.

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