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Ocean acidification can mediate biodiversity shifts by changing biogenic habitat
Sunday, J.M.; Fabricius, K.E.; Kroeker, K.J.; Anderson, K.M.; Brown, N.E.; Barry, J.P.; Connell, S.D.; Dupont, S.; Gaylord, B.; Hall-Spencer, J.M.; Klinger, T.; Milazzo, M.; Munday, P.L.; Russell, B.D.; Sanford, E.; Thiyagarajan, V.; Vaughan, M.L.H.; Widdicombe, S.; Harley, C.D.G. (2017). Ocean acidification can mediate biodiversity shifts by changing biogenic habitat. Nat. Clim. Chang. 7(1): 81-85. https://hdl.handle.net/10.1038/nclimate3161
In: Nature Climate Change. Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 1758-678X; e-ISSN 1758-6798, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Sunday, J.M.
  • Fabricius, K.E.
  • Kroeker, K.J.
  • Anderson, K.M.
  • Brown, N.E.
  • Barry, J.P.
  • Connell, S.D.
  • Dupont, S., more
  • Gaylord, B.
  • Hall-Spencer, J.M.
  • Klinger, T.
  • Milazzo, M.
  • Munday, P.L.
  • Russell, B.D.
  • Sanford, E.
  • Thiyagarajan, V.
  • Vaughan, M.L.H.
  • Widdicombe, S., more
  • Harley, C.D.G.
Abstract
    The effects of ocean acidification (OA) on the structure and complexity of coastal marine biogenic habitat have been broadly overlooked. Here we explore how declining pH and carbonate saturation may affect the structural complexity of four major biogenic habitats. Our analyses predict that indirect effects driven by OA on habitat-forming organisms could lead to lower species diversity in coral reefs, mussel beds and some macroalgal habitats, but increases in seagrass and other macroalgal habitats. Available in situ data support the prediction of decreased biodiversity in coral reefs, but not the prediction of seagrass bed gains. Thus, OA-driven habitat loss may exacerbate the direct negative effects of OA on coastal biodiversity; however, we lack evidence of the predicted biodiversity increase in systems where habitat-forming species could benefit from acidification. Overall, a combination of direct effects and community-mediated indirect effects will drive changes in the extent and structural complexity of biogenic habitat, which will have important ecosystem effects.
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