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Extreme warming challenges sentinel status of kelp forests as indicators of climate change

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Reed

    (Marine Science Institute, University of California)

  • Libe Washburn

    (Marine Science Institute, University of California
    University of California)

  • Andrew Rassweiler

    (Florida State University)

  • Robert Miller

    (Marine Science Institute, University of California)

  • Tom Bell

    (Earth Research Institute, University of California)

  • Shannon Harrer

    (Marine Science Institute, University of California)

Abstract

The desire to use sentinel species as early warning indicators of impending climate change effects on entire ecosystems is attractive, but we need to verify that such approaches have sound biological foundations. A recent large-scale warming event in the North Pacific Ocean of unprecedented magnitude and duration allowed us to evaluate the sentinel status of giant kelp, a coastal foundation species that thrives in cold, nutrient-rich waters and is considered sensitive to warming. Here, we show that giant kelp and the majority of species that associate with it did not presage ecosystem effects of extreme warming off southern California despite giant kelp’s expected vulnerability. Our results challenge the general perception that kelp-dominated systems are highly vulnerable to extreme warming events and expose the more general risk of relying on supposed sentinel species that are assumed to be very sensitive to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Reed & Libe Washburn & Andrew Rassweiler & Robert Miller & Tom Bell & Shannon Harrer, 2016. "Extreme warming challenges sentinel status of kelp forests as indicators of climate change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13757
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13757
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    Cited by:

    1. Lyton Chithambo & Venancio Tauringana & Ishmael Tingbani & Laura Achiro, 2022. "Stakeholder pressure and greenhouses gas voluntary disclosures," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 159-172, January.

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