Variation in sensitivity of large benthic Foraminifera to the combined effects of ocean warming and local impacts.

ABSTRACT: Large benthic foraminifera (LBF) are crucial marine calcifiers in coral reefs, and sensitive to environmental changes. Yet, many species successfully colonise a wide range of habitats including highly fluctuating environments. We tested the combined effects of ocean warming, local impacts and different light levels on populations of the common LBF Amphistegina lobifera collected along a cross-shelf gradient of temperature and nutrients fluctuations. We analysed survivorship, bleaching frequency, chlorophyll a content and fecundity. Elevated temperature and nitrate significantly reduced survivorship and fecundity of A. lobifera across populations studied. This pattern was exacerbated when combined with below optimum light levels. Inshore populations showed a consistent resistance to increas

SUBMITTER: Prazeres M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5362903 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature