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Epiphytes provide micro-scale refuge from ocean acidification.

Tamar Guy-Haim1, Jacob Silverman2, Martin Wahl3

  • 1Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 8030, Haifa, 31080, Israel; The Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Department, University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel; GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Experimental Ecology, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, Kiel, 24105, Germany.

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Epiphytic algae create protective micro-refuges for coralline algae against ocean acidification (OA). This interaction helps vulnerable coralline algae persist in acidified marine environments.

Keywords:
CalcificationClimate changeCoralline algaeDiffusive boundary layerEpiphytismMicroenvironmentOcean acidificationRefugia

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Oceanography
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Coralline algae are key calcifying organisms in coastal ecosystems.
  • These algae are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification (OA).
  • The interaction between coralline algae and epiphytes under OA is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective role of non-calcifying epiphytic algae on coralline algae under ocean acidification.
  • To test the hypothesis that epiphytes ameliorate microenvironmental conditions for coralline algae.

Main Methods:

  • Mesocosm experiments were conducted to simulate ocean acidification conditions.
  • Microsensor measurements were used to analyze the microenvironment around coralline algae.
  • The study focused on the coralline alga Ellisolandia elongata and its associated epiphytes.

Main Results:

  • Coralline algae covered with epiphytes showed reduced susceptibility to ocean acidification.
  • Epiphytic algae increased the thickness of the diffusive boundary layer around coralline algae.
  • Epiphytes modified the microenvironment, creating more alkaline conditions (a chemical shield).

Conclusions:

  • Non-calcifying epiphytic algae can provide a refuge for coralline algae under ocean acidification.
  • This micro-scale protection is facilitated by epiphytes altering carbonate chemistry.
  • These ecological refugia are crucial for the persistence of coralline algae in future acidified oceans.