Marine heatwaves and upwelling shape stress responses in a keystone predator.

ABSTRACT: Climate change increases the frequency and intensifies the magnitude and duration of extreme events in the sea, particularly so in coastal habitats. However, the interplay of multiple extremes and the consequences for species and ecosystems remain unknown. We experimentally tested the impacts of summer heatwaves of differing intensities and durations, and a subsequent upwelling event on a temperate keystone predator, the starfish Asterias rubens. We recorded mussel consumption throughout the experiment and assessed activity and growth at strategically chosen time points. The upwelling event overall impaired starfish feeding and activity, likely driven by the acidification and low oxygen concentrations in the upwelled seawater. Prior exposure to a present-day heatwave (+5°C above cli

SUBMITTER: Ruhmkorff S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9845977 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature