From Individual Calcifiers to Ecosystem Dynamics: Ocean Acidification Effects on Urchins and Abalone

Area of Science:

• Marine Ecology
• Oceanography
• Climate Change Biology

Background:

• Trophic interactions are central to community structure and function, especially under climate change.
• Sea urchins and abalone are key kelp forest invertebrates with significant ecological roles.
• Ocean acidification (OA) impacts marine calcifying organisms, including urchins and abalone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the morphological, biomechanical, and physiological responses of urchins and abalone to OA.
• To explore how individual-level OA responses scale to trophic interactions and ecosystem processes.
• To highlight the need for research on OA impacts on feeding structures, like the Aristotle's lantern.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on OA impacts on urchin and abalone calcified structures.
• Discussion of individual responses (morphological, biomechanical, physiological) to OA.
• Consideration of scaling effects from individuals to trophic interactions and ecosystem processes.

Main Results:

• Urchin tests show reduced calcification and mechanical strength under OA.
• Abalone shells also appear negatively affected by OA, though less studied.
• OA impacts on feeding structures (e.g., Aristotle's lantern) are poorly understood.

Conclusions:

• Understanding OA impacts on both defense and feeding structures is vital for predicting ecological responses.
• Individual-level OA responses can inform predictions of higher-level ecological and ecosystem responses.
• Kelp forest ecosystems are vulnerable to cascading effects from OA-induced changes in key invertebrates.