ORCID
- Hall-Spencer, Jason: 0000-0002-6915-2518
Abstract
AbstractHuman activities are rapidly changing the structure and function of coastal marine ecosystems. Large-scale replacement of kelp forests and coral reefs with turf algal mats is resulting in homogenous habitats that have less ecological and human value. Ocean acidification has strong potential to substantially favour turf algae growth, which led us to examine the mechanisms that stabilise turf algal states. Here we show that ocean acidification promotes turf algae over corals and macroalgae, mediating new habitat conditions that create stabilising feedback loops (altered physicochemical environment and microbial community, and an inhibition of recruitment) capable of locking turf systems in place. Such feedbacks help explain why degraded coastal habitats persist after being initially pushed past the tipping point by global and local anthropogenic stressors. An understanding of the mechanisms that stabilise degraded coastal habitats can be incorporated into adaptive management to better protect the contribution of coastal systems to human wellbeing.
DOI
10.1038/s42003-021-01712-2
Publication Date
2021-12-01
Publication Title
Communications Biology
Volume
4
Issue
1
Embargo Period
2021-08-28
Organisational Unit
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Recommended Citation
Harvey, B. P., Allen, R., Agostini, S., Hoffmann, L., Kon, K., Summerfield, T., Wada, S., & Hall-Spencer, J. (2021) 'Feedback mechanisms stabilise degraded turf algal systems at a CO2 seep site', Communications Biology, 4(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-01712-2
