Seaweed community response to a massive CO2 input. (5th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sangil, Carlos; Clemente, Sabrina; Brito, Alberto; Rodríguez, Adriana; Balsalobre, Marc; Mendoza, José Carlos; Martínez, David; Hernández, José Carlos
• Is Part Of: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science. Volume 178(2016)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2016-09-05
• Subjects: Stochastic events -- Acidification -- Phase shift -- Community-wide effects -- Ephemeral algae -- Lobophora variegata; Estuarine oceanography -- Periodicals; Coasts -- Periodicals; Estuarine biology -- Periodicals; Seashore biology -- Periodicals; Coasts; Estuarine biology; Estuarine oceanography; Seashore biology; Periodicals; 551.461805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2016.05.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-7714

Abstract

Abstract: Changes in the structure of seaweed communities were examined following a massive CO2 input caused by a submarine eruption near the coast of El Hierro island (Canary Islands, Spain). The event lasted almost five months (October 2011–March 2012) and created a significant pH gradient. Specifically, we compared three different zones: highly affected with extreme low pH (6.7–7.3), affected with low pH (7.6–7.8), and unaffected ambient pH zone (∼8.1) according to the pH gradient generated by the predominate currents and waves in the south of the island. Studies were carried out before, during and after the CO2 input event in each zone. We found community-wide effects on seaweed communities during the eruption; these included changes in species abundance and changes in the diversity. However, changes in all these community traits were only evident in the highly affected zone, where there were major shifts in the seaweed community, with a replacement of Lobophora variegata by ephemeral seaweeds. Lobophora variegata dropped in cover from 87–94 to 27% while ephemeral seaweeds increased 6–10 to 29%. When the impact ended Lobophora variegata began to recover reaching a cover higher than 60%. In the moderate affected area the Lobophora variegata canopies maintained their integrity avoiding phase shifts to turfs. Here the only significant changes were the reduction of the cover of the crustose and geniculate coralline algae. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Changes in community structure have been studied following a massive CO2 input. Changes in species abundance and diversity followed the pH gradient. Main changes in community structure occurred in the pH extreme conditions. Original canopies were replaced by ephemeral seaweeds in the pH extreme conditions.