RT Journal Article
T1 Temporal and spatial variability in population traits of an intertidal fucoid reveals local-scale climatic refugia
A1 Sánchez de Pedro Crespo, Raquel
A1 Fernández, Andrea N.
A1 Melero-Jiménez, Ignacio José
A1 García-Sánchez, María Jesús
A1 Flores-Moya, Antonio
A1 Bañares-España, Elena
A1 Melero-Jiménez, Ignacio José
K1 Algas marinas
K1 Calentamiento global
K1 Mares y océanos-Temperatura
AB Global change is imposing significant losses in the functional traits of marine organisms. Although areas of climatic refugia ameliorate local conditions and help them to persist, the extent to which mesoscale effects contribute for intraregional variability on population traits and conservation is uncertain. Here we assess patterns of conservation status of Fucus guiryi, the main intertidal habitat-forming seaweed in the Strait of Gibraltar (southern Spain and northern Morocco). We investigated the demography, reproductive phenology, and morphology at northern and southern side populations. Population traits were compared seasonally within populations from each side, and at spatial scale in early summer 2019. In the last decade three populations became extinct; two marginal populations had dispersed individuals with a narrower fertility season and miniaturized individuals below 3 cm; and five populations showed variable density and cover with more than 20% of reproductive individuals over the seasons. Highest density, cover, morphology, and reproductive potential was detected at one population from each side, suggesting local-scale climatic refugia in upwelling areas located inside marine protected areas. Southern recruits were more warm-tolerant but grew less at colder conditions than northern ones, revealing a mesoscale heterogeneity in thermal affinities. This study evidenced functional losses and distinct reproductive strategies experienced by F. guiryi at peripheral locations and urges to prioritize its conservation and restoration at contemporary climatic refugia.
PB Elsevier
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26564
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26564
LA eng
NO Raquel Sánchez de Pedro, Andrea N. Fernández, Ignacio José Melero-Jiménez, María Jesús García-Sánchez, Antonio Flores-Moya, Elena Bañares-España, Temporal and spatial variability in population traits of an intertidal fucoid reveals local-scale climatic refugia, Marine Environmental Research, Volume 188, 2023, 106006, ISSN 0141-1136, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106006.
NO We thank the Plant Culture unit of SCAI-UMA for providing culture chambers, particularly Dr Lara Jim ́enez for her technical assistance. The authors thank the anonymous reviewer that helped us improve the first version of manuscript.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 3 mar 2026