Global impacts of marine heatwaves on coastal foundation species

Kathryn E. Smith (), Margot Aubin, Michael T. Burrows, Karen Filbee-Dexter, Alistair J. Hobday, Neil J. Holbrook, Nathan G. King, Pippa J. Moore, Alex Sen Gupta, Mads Thomsen, Thomas Wernberg, Edward Wilson and Dan A. Smale
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Kathryn E. Smith: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Margot Aubin: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Michael T. Burrows: Scottish Association for Marine Science
Karen Filbee-Dexter: University of Western Australia
Alistair J. Hobday: CSIRO Environment
Neil J. Holbrook: University of Tasmania
Nathan G. King: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Pippa J. Moore: Newcastle University
Alex Sen Gupta: University of New South Wales
Mads Thomsen: University of Canterbury
Thomas Wernberg: University of Western Australia
Edward Wilson: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Dan A. Smale: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract With increasingly intense marine heatwaves affecting nearshore regions, foundation species are coming under increasing stress. To better understand their impacts, we examine responses of critical, habitat-forming foundation species (macroalgae, seagrass, corals) to marine heatwaves in 1322 shallow coastal areas located across 85 marine ecoregions. We find compelling evidence that intense, summer marine heatwaves play a significant role in the decline of foundation species globally. Critically, detrimental effects increase towards species warm-range edges and over time. We also identify several ecoregions where foundation species don’t respond to marine heatwaves, suggestive of some resilience to warming events. Cumulative marine heatwave intensity, absolute temperature, and location within a species’ range are key factors mediating impacts. Our results suggest many coastal ecosystems are losing foundation species, potentially impacting associated biodiversity, ecological function, and ecosystem services provision. Understanding relationships between marine heatwaves and foundation species offers the potential to predict impacts that are critical for developing management and adaptation approaches.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49307-9

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