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The role of kelp species as biogenic habitat formers in coastal marine ecosystems

The role of kelp species as biogenic habitat formers in coastal marine ecosystems
The role of kelp species as biogenic habitat formers in coastal marine ecosystems
Kelps are ecologically important primary producers and ecosystem engineers, and play a central role in structuring nearshore temperate habitats. They play an important role in nutrient cycling, energy capture and transfer, and provide biogenic coastal defence. Kelps also provide extensive substrata for colonising organisms, ameliorate conditions for understorey assemblages, and provide three-dimensional habitat structure for a vast array of marine plants and animals, including a number of commercially important species. Here, we review and synthesize existing knowledge on the functioning of kelp species as biogenic habitat providers. We examine biodiversity patterns associated with kelp holdfasts, stipes and blades, as well as the wider understorey habitat, and search for generality between kelp species and biogeographic regions. Environmental factors influencing biogenic habitat provision and the structure of associated assemblages are considered, as are current threats to kelp-dominated ecosystems. Despite considerable variability between species and regions, kelps are key habitat-forming species that support elevated levels of biodiversity, diverse and abundant assemblages and facilitate trophic linkages. Enhanced appreciation and better management of kelp forests are vital for ensuring sustainability of ecological goods and services derived from temperate marine ecosystems.
0022-0981
81-98
Teagle, Harry
f186fc95-eb9e-4a89-8a4d-3459319f9219
Hawkins, Stephen J.
758fe1c1-30cd-4ed1-bb65-2471dc7c11fa
Moore, Pippa J.
f72a6bd0-79f4-41d2-b81b-84e86fd98ff6
Smale, Dan A.
9be48b19-ad5f-4f40-87c8-e0bfa799584f
Teagle, Harry
f186fc95-eb9e-4a89-8a4d-3459319f9219
Hawkins, Stephen J.
758fe1c1-30cd-4ed1-bb65-2471dc7c11fa
Moore, Pippa J.
f72a6bd0-79f4-41d2-b81b-84e86fd98ff6
Smale, Dan A.
9be48b19-ad5f-4f40-87c8-e0bfa799584f

Teagle, Harry, Hawkins, Stephen J., Moore, Pippa J. and Smale, Dan A. (2017) The role of kelp species as biogenic habitat formers in coastal marine ecosystems. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 492, 81-98. (doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2017.01.017).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Kelps are ecologically important primary producers and ecosystem engineers, and play a central role in structuring nearshore temperate habitats. They play an important role in nutrient cycling, energy capture and transfer, and provide biogenic coastal defence. Kelps also provide extensive substrata for colonising organisms, ameliorate conditions for understorey assemblages, and provide three-dimensional habitat structure for a vast array of marine plants and animals, including a number of commercially important species. Here, we review and synthesize existing knowledge on the functioning of kelp species as biogenic habitat providers. We examine biodiversity patterns associated with kelp holdfasts, stipes and blades, as well as the wider understorey habitat, and search for generality between kelp species and biogeographic regions. Environmental factors influencing biogenic habitat provision and the structure of associated assemblages are considered, as are current threats to kelp-dominated ecosystems. Despite considerable variability between species and regions, kelps are key habitat-forming species that support elevated levels of biodiversity, diverse and abundant assemblages and facilitate trophic linkages. Enhanced appreciation and better management of kelp forests are vital for ensuring sustainability of ecological goods and services derived from temperate marine ecosystems.

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Teagle_etal_inpress_JEMBE - Accepted Manuscript
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Accepted/In Press date: 12 February 2017
Published date: 1 July 2017
Organisations: Marine Biology & Ecology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 407185
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/407185
ISSN: 0022-0981
PURE UUID: 3f311774-667b-4bcd-b4a1-394902f6e6df

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Date deposited: 01 Apr 2017 01:04
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 05:13

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Contributors

Author: Harry Teagle
Author: Pippa J. Moore
Author: Dan A. Smale

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