Ocean acidification but not nutrient enrichment reduces grazing and alters diet preference in Littorina littorea.

ABSTRACT: Ocean acidification and eutrophication have direct, positive effects on the growth of many marine macroalgae, potentially resulting in macroalgal blooms and shifts in ecosystem structure and function. Enhanced growth of macroalgae, however, may be controlled by the presence of grazers. While grazing under ocean acidification and eutrophication conditions has variable responses, there is evidence of these factors indirectly increasing consumption. We tested whether a common marine herbivorous snail, Littorina littorea, would increase consumption rates of macroalgae (Ulva and Fucus) under ocean acidification (increased pCO2) and/or eutrophication conditions, via feeding trials on live and reconstituted algal thalli. We found that increased pCO2 resulted in reduced grazing rates on live thall

SUBMITTER: Ober GT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11960722 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature