Environmental factors influencing primary productivity of the forest-forming kelp Laminaria hyperborea in the northeast Atlantic.

ABSTRACT: Rates and drivers of primary productivity are well understood for many terrestrial ecosystems, but remain poorly resolved for many marine ecosystems, particularly those within in coastal benthic environments. We quantified net primary productivity (NPP) using two methods as well as carbon standing stock within kelp forests (Laminaria hyperborea) at multiple subtidal habitats in the United Kingdom (UK). Study sites spanned 9° in latitude and encompassed a gradient in average temperature of ~ 2.5 °C. In addition to temperature, we measured other factors (e.g. light intensity, water motion, nutrients, sea urchin density) that may influence productivity. Although estimates of NPP were highly variable between sites, ranging from 166 to 738 g C m^-2 yr^-1, our study-wide aver

SUBMITTER: Smale DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7376248 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature