Kelp Community Ecology

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from Kelp Community Ecology.

Kelp Forest

A marine ecosystem characterized by large brown algae known as kelp.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living environmental components that influence ecosystems, including light, water motion, temperature, and nutrients.

Biotic Factors

Living components that affect ecosystems, including competition, grazing, and predation.

Competitive Interactions

Interactions among species that compete for resources such as space, light, and nutrients.

Herbivory

The consumption of plants or algae by herbivores, impacting the structure of the ecosystem.

Trophic Cascade

An ecological phenomenon where changes in one trophic level significantly impact other levels.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionate effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Urchin Barrens

Areas where sea urchins have overgrazed kelp, leading to a lack of macroalgae.

Alaria fistulosa

An opportunistic kelp species that grows in areas freed from competition.

Phase Shifts

Dramatic transitions between stable ecological states, such as between kelp forests and urchin barrens.

SSWD

Sea Star Wasting Disease, a condition affecting sea stars that can influence marine ecosystems.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Designated regions where human activity is restricted to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

How do Abiotic Factors influence Kelp Forests?\n\n\n\n

Light availability affects kelp photosynthesis; strong water motion can damage kelp but also brings nutrients; appropriate temperature ranges are crucial for kelp growth; and nutrient availability (e.g., nitrates) supports kelp productivity.\n\n\n\n

What is the specific role of Alaria fistulosa?\n\n\n\n

Alaria fistulosa is an opportunistic kelp species that colonizes and grows rapidly in areas where dominant kelp species have been removed or reduced due to disturbances, temporarily filling the void created by competitive release.\n\n\n\n

What are the ecological consequences of Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD)?\n\n\n\n

SSWD leads to a decline in sea star populations, particularly predators like the sunflower sea star, which can reduce predation pressure on sea urchins. This decline can contribute to an increase in urchin populations and subsequent overgrazing of kelp forests, potentially leading to urchin barrens.\n\n\n\n

How do Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) aid kelp forest conservation?\n\n\n\n

MPAs protect kelp forests by restricting human activities such as fishing and harvesting, thereby safeguarding biodiversity, allowing predator populations (like fish and lobsters) to recover, and improving the resilience of kelp ecosystems against other stressors.\n\n\n\n

Kelp Forest

A marine ecosystem characterized by large brown algae known as kelp.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living environmental components that influence ecosystems, including light, water motion, temperature, and nutrients.

Biotic Factors

Living components that affect ecosystems, including competition, grazing, and predation.

Competitive Interactions

Interactions among species that compete for resources such as space, light, and nutrients.

Herbivory

The consumption of plants or algae by herbivores, impacting the structure of the ecosystem.

Trophic Cascade

An ecological phenomenon where changes in one trophic level significantly impact other levels.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionate effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Urchin Barrens

Areas where sea urchins have overgrazed kelp, leading to a lack of macroalgae.

Alaria fistulosa

An opportunistic kelp species that grows in areas freed from competition.

Phase Shifts

Dramatic transitions between stable ecological states, such as between kelp forests and urchin barrens.

SSWD

Sea Star Wasting Disease, a condition affecting sea stars that can influence marine ecosystems.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Designated regions where human activity is restricted to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

How do Abiotic Factors influence Kelp Forests?

Light availability affects kelp photosynthesis; strong water motion can damage kelp but also brings nutrients; appropriate temperature ranges are crucial for kelp growth; and nutrient availability (e.g., nitrates) supports kelp productivity.

What is the specific role of Alaria fistulosa?

Alaria fistulosa is an opportunistic kelp species that colonizes and grows rapidly in areas where dominant kelp species have been removed or reduced due to disturbances, temporarily filling the void created by competitive release.

What are the ecological consequences of Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD)?

SSWD leads to a decline in sea star populations, particularly predators like the sunflower sea star, which can reduce predation pressure on sea urchins. This decline can contribute to an increase in urchin populations and subsequent overgrazing of kelp forests, potentially leading to urchin barrens.

How do Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) aid kelp forest conservation?

MPAs protect kelp forests by restricting human activities such as fishing and harvesting, thereby safeguarding biodiversity, allowing predator populations (like fish and lobsters) to recover, and improving the resilience of kelp ecosystems against other stressors.

Main structural components of a kelp plant

Kelp plants consist of a holdfast (anchoring to the seafloor), a stipe (stem-like structure), and blades (leaf-like structures for photosynthesis), often buoyed by pneumatocysts (gas-filled bladders).

How does intense herbivory by urchins lead to urchin barrens?

Intense grazing by unchecked sea urchin populations consumes kelp at a rate faster than it can grow, denuding the seafloor of macroalgae and transforming a productive kelp forest into an urchin barren.

How does climate change impact kelp forest ecosystems?

Ocean warming can stress kelp, leading to reduced growth or die-offs, while ocean acidification can affect the calcification of organisms that rely on kelp, and contribute to overall ecosystem instability.

What characteristics make Alaria fistulosa an opportunistic species?

Alaria fistulosa is characterized by its rapid growth rate, ability to quickly colonize disturbed areas, and high reproductive output, enabling it to take advantage of available space and resources when dominant kelp species are absent.

Role of Sea Otters (Keystone Species Example)

Sea otters act as a keystone species by preying on sea urchins, which helps prevent urchin overgrazing and maintains the health and structure of kelp forest ecosystems.

Factors Driving Urchin Barren Formation

Urchin barrens are primarily formed by unchecked sea urchin populations overgrazing kelp, often due to a decline in their predators, such as sea otters or sea stars (like after SSWD outbreaks).

Ecological Benefits of Kelp Forests

Kelp forests provide vital habitat, act as nurseries for fish and invertebrates, absorb carbon dioxide, and protect coastlines from erosion, supporting high biodiversity.

Dynamics of Phase Shifts in Kelp Forests

Phase shifts, such as transitions from kelp forests to urchin barrens, are often triggered by ecological disturbances like disease outbreaks (e.g., SSWD), changes in predator populations, or environmental stressors.