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Ocean acidification can mediate biodiversity shifts by changing biogenic habitat

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer M. Sunday

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Katharina E. Fabricius

    (Australian Institute of Marine Science)

  • Kristy J. Kroeker

    (University of California Santa Cruz)

  • Kathryn M. Anderson

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Norah E. Brown

    (University of British Columbia)

  • James P. Barry

    (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

  • Sean D. Connell

    (Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Environment Institute, University of Adelaide)

  • Sam Dupont

    (University of Gothenburg, The Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences)

  • Brian Gaylord

    (University of California at Davis)

  • Jason M. Hall-Spencer

    (Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Plymouth University
    Shimoda Marine Research Centre, Tsukuba University)

  • Terrie Klinger

    (School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington)

  • Marco Milazzo

    (University of Palermo, CoNSIMa Consortium)

  • Philip L. Munday

    (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University)

  • Bayden D. Russell

    (The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong)

  • Eric Sanford

    (University of California at Davis)

  • Vengatesen Thiyagarajan

    (The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong)

  • Megan L. H. Vaughan

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Stephen Widdicombe

    (Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

  • Christopher D. G. Harley

    (University of British Columbia)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer M. Sunday & Katharina E. Fabricius & Kristy J. Kroeker & Kathryn M. Anderson & Norah E. Brown & James P. Barry & Sean D. Connell & Sam Dupont & Brian Gaylord & Jason M. Hall-Spencer & Terrie , 2017. "Ocean acidification can mediate biodiversity shifts by changing biogenic habitat," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 81-85, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:7:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_nclimate3161
    DOI: 10.1038/nclimate3161
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura J. Falkenberg & Richard G.J. Bellerby & Sean D. Connell & Lora E. Fleming & Bruce Maycock & Bayden D. Russell & Francis J. Sullivan & Sam Dupont, 2020. "Ocean Acidification and Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Tai, Travis C. & Harley, Christopher D.G. & Cheung, William W.L., 2018. "Comparing model parameterizations of the biophysical impacts of ocean acidification to identify limitations and uncertainties," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 385(C), pages 1-11.

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