Positive species interactions strengthen in a high-CO₂ ocean.

ABSTRACT: Negative interactions among species are a major force shaping natural communities and are predicted to strengthen as climate change intensifies. Similarly, positive interactions are anticipated to intensify and could buffer the consequences of climate-driven disturbances. We used in situ experiments at volcanic CO₂ vents within a temperate rocky reef to show that ocean acidification can drive community reorganization through indirect and direct positive pathways. A keystone species, the algal-farming damselfish Parma alboscapularis, enhanced primary productivity through its weeding of algae whose productivity was also boosted by elevated CO₂. The accelerated primary productivity was associated with increased densities of primary consumers (herbivorous in

SUBMITTER: Ferreira CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8261209 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature