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Thinning of kelp canopy modifies understory assemblages: the importance of canopy density
Citation
Flukes, EB and Johnson, CR and Wright, JT, Thinning of kelp canopy modifies understory assemblages: the importance of canopy density, Marine Ecology - Progress Series, 514 pp. 57-70. ISSN 0171-8630 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Inter-Research
Abstract
Kelp forests in southeastern Australia form canopies that support complex understory
assemblages. Predicted levels of climate change in this region are likely to impact the health
and distribution of these forests, potentially resulting in large-scale reductions in canopy cover.
This study determined the impacts of a permanent reduction in canopy cover of the dominant kelp
in this region, Ecklonia radiata, on the structure of understory algal and sessile invertebrate community
assemblages. Changes in assemblages were determined over 12 mo in 3 treatments:
unmanipulated, 33% canopy reduction and 66% canopy reduction. Clearance treatments were
maintained to simulate the predicted effects of long-term climate-driven canopy reduction. Thinning
of E. radiata canopy (especially 66% loss) caused a shift towards a foliose algal-dominated
understory, with an associated loss of sponges, bryozoans, and encrusting algae. Canopy loss
homogenised existing patchiness in understory assemblages, and high recruitment of E. radiata
occurred at both levels of thinning. A 66% reduction in kelp canopy increased understory community
diversity, but did not affect species richness. Thus, changes to understory assemblages
occurred in a density-dependent manner, with 66% canopy loss required to alter the structure of
assemblages at the community scale. Changes at this scale were subtle but important (with stability
attributed to a combination of biogeography and resistance to perturbation driven by high
diversity), and indicate that partial loss of kelp canopy under future climate change scenarios will
shift understory communities towards a foliose algal-dominated state, which has important implications
for sessile invertebrates and potentially future recruitment of kelp.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Ecklonia radiate, canopy disturbance, understory assemblages, kelp bed, community ecology, canopy density, seaweeds, community structure |
| Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
| Research Group: | Environmental management |
| Research Field: | Conservation and biodiversity |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
| Objective Group: | Adaptation to climate change |
| Objective Field: | Ecosystem adaptation to climate change |
| UTAS Author: | Flukes, EB (Miss Emma Flukes) |
| UTAS Author: | Johnson, CR (Professor Craig Johnson) |
| UTAS Author: | Wright, JT (Associate Professor Jeffrey Wright) |
| ID Code: | 96532 |
| Year Published: | 2014 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 29 |
| Deposited By: | NC Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability |
| Deposited On: | 2014-11-10 |
| Last Modified: | 2018-11-13 |
| Downloads: | 47 View Download Statistics |
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