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Species distribution modeling predicts significant declines in coralline algae populations under projected climate change with implications for conservation policy

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Date
14/09/2020
Author
Simon-Nutbrown, Cornelia
Hollingsworth, Peter M.
Fernandes, Teresa F.
Kamphausen, Lisa
Baxter, John M.
Burdett, Heidi L.
Keywords
Biodiversity
Biogeography
Climate change
Scotland
Ecology
Marine conservation
Maerl
Rhodolith
GC Oceanography
GE Environmental Sciences
QH301 Biology
3rd-DAS
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Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change presents a major challenge to coastal ecosystems. Mass population declines or geographic shifts in species ranges are expected to occur, potentially leading to wide-scale ecosystem disruption or collapse. This is particularly important for habitat-forming species such as free-living non-geniculate coralline algae that aggregate to form large, structurally complex reef-life ecosystems with high associated biodiversity and carbon sequestration capability. Coralline algal beds have a worldwide distribution, but have recently experienced global declines due to anthropogenic pressures and changing environmental conditions. However, the environmental factors controlling coralline algal bed distribution remain poorly understood, limiting our ability to make adequate assessments of how populations may change in the future. We constructed the first species distribution model for non-geniculate coralline algae (focusing on maerl-forming species but including crustose coralline algae associated with coralline algal beds) and showed that bathymetry, temperature at the seabed and light availability are the primary environmental drivers of present-day non-geniculate coralline algae distribution. Our model also identifies suitable areas for species presence that currently lack records of occurrence. Large-scale spatial declines in coralline algal distribution were observed under all IPCC Representative Concentration Pathways (ranging from 38% decline under RCP 2.6 up to 84% decline under RCP 8.5), with the most rapid rate of decline up to 2050. Refuge populations that may persist under projected climate change were also identified – informing priority areas for future conservation efforts to maximize the long-term survival of this globally important ecosystem.
Citation
Simon-Nutbrown , C , Hollingsworth , P M , Fernandes , T F , Kamphausen , L , Baxter , J M & Burdett , H L 2020 , ' Species distribution modeling predicts significant declines in coralline algae populations under projected climate change with implications for conservation policy ' , Frontiers in Marine Science , vol. 7 , 575825 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.575825
Publication
Frontiers in Marine Science
Status
Peer reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.575825
ISSN
2296-7745
Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2020 Simon-Nutbrown, Hollingsworth, Fernandes, Kamphausen, Baxter and Burdett. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Description
Funding: This work was funded by a NERC iCASE studentship award to HB, PH, JB, and TF (NE/R007233/1). The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh acknowledges funding support from the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Sciences and Analytical Services Division (RESAS). This is a contribution to the Scottish Blue Carbon Forum.
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  • University of St Andrews Research
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/20727

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