Large-scale shift in the structure of a kelp forest ecosystem co-occurs with an epizootic and marine heatwave
2021
Meredith L. McPherson | Dennis J. I. Finger | Henry F. Houskeeper | Tom W. Bell | Mark H. Carr | Laura Rogers-Bennett | Raphael M. Kudela
Meredith McPherson et al. use a 34-year time series of satellite and in situ derived data to study bull kelp forests of northern California and demonstrate the ecosystem shifts following a marine heatwave event between 2014 and 2016. The results show that increased herbivory by sea urchins due to the loss of a predator reduced bull kelp forest resistance to fluctuating environmental conditions and point to the importance of ecosystem-based and adaptive management strategies.
Show more [+] Less [-]Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Directory of Open Access Journals