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Beneficial effects of CO₂ on photosynthetic organisms will be a key driver of ecosystem change under ocean acidification. Predicting the responses of macroalgal species to ocean acidification is complex, but we demonstrate that the response of assemblages to elevated CO₂ are correlated with inorganic carbon physiology. We assessed abundance patterns and a proxy for CO₂:HCO₃⁻ use (δ¹³C values) of macroalgae along a gradient of CO₂ at a volcanic seep, and examined how shifts in species abundance at other Mediterranean seeps are related to macroalgal inorganic carbon physiology. Five macroalgal species capable of using both HCO₃⁻ and CO₂ had greater CO₂ use as concentrations increased. These species (and one unable to use HCO₃⁻) increased in abundance with elevated CO₂ whereas obligate calcifying species, and non-calcareous macroalgae whose CO₂ use did not increase consistently with concentration, declined in abundance. Physiological groupings provide a mechanistic understanding that will aid us in determining which species will benefit from ocean acidification and why.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	seaweed, climate change, ocean acidification, carbon physiology
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Plant Biology
Research Field:	Phycology (incl. Marine Grasses)
Objective Division:	Environment
Objective Group:	Climate and Climate Change
Objective Field:	Ecosystem Adaptation to Climate Change
Author:	Cornwall, CE (Dr Chris Cornwall)
Author:	Hurd, CL (Associate Professor Catriona Hurd)
ID Code:	116083
Year Published:	2017
Web of Science® Times Cited:	3
Deposited By:	Ecology and Biodiversity
Deposited On:	2017-05-01
Last Modified:	2017-11-21
Downloads:	8 View Download Statistics