Marine heatwave duration and intensity interact to reduce physiological tipping points of kelp species with contrasting thermal affinities.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are widely recognized as pervasive drivers of ecosystem change, yet our understanding of how different MHW properties mediate ecological responses remains largely unexplored. Understanding MHW impacts on foundation species is particularly important, given their structural role in communities and ecosystems.

Methods

We simulated a series of realistic MHWs with different levels of intensity (Control: 14 °C, Moderate: 18 °C, Extreme: 22 °C) and duration (14 or 28 d) and examined responses of two habitat-forming kelp species in the southwest UK. Here, Laminaria digitata reaches its trailing edge and is undergoing a range contraction, whereas Laminaria ochroleuca reaches its leading edge and is undergoing a range expansion.

Key resul

SUBMITTER: Leathers T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10921831 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature