Miss Hannah Scarlett Earp1,2, Dr Dan A Smale3, Dr Nathan G King3, Mr Jacob Bestwick1, Mr Brandon Frazel1, Professor Pippa J Moore2
1Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom, 2Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom, 3The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, United Kingdom
Kelp, large brown macroalgae of the order Laminariales, are ecosystem engineers that form forests along one quarter to one third of the world’s temperate and sub-polar rocky coastlines. The three-dimensional structure of the forest modifies local environmental conditions, which in some regions, allows diverse understorey algal and macrofaunal assemblages to develop. These understorey assemblages, however, represent somewhat overlooked components of kelp forest ecosystems, with fundamental information on their structure and functioning often lacking. Here, we used an underwater suction sampler to characterize understorey macrofloral and macrofaunal assemblages within Laminaria hyperborea forests across four regions of the United Kingdom. Specifically, we investigated spatial and seasonal variation in the structure and diversity of assemblages along a 9˚ latitudinal gradient which represented a 2.5˚C gradient in sea surface temperature. Collectively, the samples comprised of 2.4 kgs of understorey algae and 65,419 macrofaunal individuals from 179 taxa. We found significant spatial and seasonal variation in the abundance, richness, diversity, and evenness of understorey assemblages, likely because of complex interactions between sea surface temperature, wave exposure and habitat structure. Given that kelp forests are becoming increasingly threatened by multiple stressors, it is important that we generate baseline information on the structure and functioning of understorey assemblages which, when coupled with information on the kelp itself, can serve as a benchmark to successfully monitor, manage, restore, and ultimately conserve entire kelp forest ecosystems and their associated ecosystem services.
Presentation Slides – Hannah Earp
Biography:
Hannah Earp is a PhD candidate at Aberystwyth University. Her work primarily focusses on the structure, function, resilience, and restoration of kelp forests in the UK and South America.
