Long-term surveys reveal abrupt canopy loss with immediate changes in diversity and functional
Cumulative human pressures are threatening canopy-forming macroalgae worldwide, putting at risk key ecosystem functions that they provide. Concurrent with declines in Gelidium corneum meadows, the present study investigates year-on-year changes in associated assemblages over a 21-year period (1996-2...
| Autores: | , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2020 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad del País Vasco |
| Repositorio: | Addi. Archivo Digital para la Docencia y la Investigación |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:addi.ehu.eus:10810/78525 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/10810/78525 |
| Access Level: | acceso embargado |
| Palabra clave: | benthic ecology biogenic habitats climate change community composition macroalgal assemblage decline monitoring rocky invertebrates |
| Sumario: | Cumulative human pressures are threatening canopy-forming macroalgae worldwide, putting at risk key ecosystem functions that they provide. Concurrent with declines in Gelidium corneum meadows, the present study investigates year-on-year changes in associated assemblages over a 21-year period (1996-2017) in the southeastern Bay of Biscay. The results show a non-linear loss of G. corneum causing an abrupt shift towards new assemblages dominated by caespitose and encrusting forms. The rapid decline of morphologically complex algae and perennial forms is accompanied by a decrease of both epiphytic and epibenthic suspensivores and the loss of numerous associated species of fauna and flora. Along with the decline in canopy, a permanent marked lose in algae and invertebrate abundance is registered. The outcomes show a notable rise in algal species density and a net increase in flora and fauna species richness and evenness. Once the canopy is lost, a significant increase in heterogeneity of assemblages is identified as a potential indicator of stress of the new and less stable communities dominated by non-perennial and short-lived algae. The implications of the changes observed and the consequences of the establishment to a new state for the functioning of the ecosystem are discussed. |
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