This study analyses the combined impact of two types of ocean water flow, wave exposure and ocean currents, on kelp Laminaria hyperborea abundance, taking other environmental co-variables into account. The dataset covers many ecoregions along the NE Atlantic (Norwegian) coast, including both the Skagerrak, the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea, from 58 • N to 66 • N. Our results show that the abundance of kelp is modified by the combined impact of depth, waves and currents and that high kelp abundance is found mainly in relatively shallow and flat terrain in wave exposed and low current areas. The analyses reveal significant interactions between wave exposure and both depth and ocean currents, implying depth-specific effects of wave exposure and wave-specific effects of current speed. The somewhat surprising influence of temperature is discussed. The ecological function and ecosystem services of kelp forests are related to kelp abundance. Knowledge on how abundances vary with environmental variables is therefore highly relevant for developing large scale models to quantify and visualize (on maps) macroalgae biomass and ecosystem services, such as wave dampening, carbon storage, and raw material provisioning.
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As different macrophyte habitats house different distributions of invertebrates, we questioned if differences in the composition of fish in these habitats also could be identified. Additionally, we addressed the question if the fish communities could be affected a few years after sugar kelp beds had shifted to degraded turf habitats. Gill-nets of different mesh sizes were used to catch fish in the then four dominating subtidal macrophyte habitats; the kelp species Laminaria hyperborea and Saccharina latissima, the turf algae, and the seagrass Zostera marina. Each habitat was sampled in South Norway, day and night, and at two following months. Altogether, 31 species of fish and five species of larger crustaceans were caught. Both individuals and species numbers were dominated by wrasses and codfish. The wrasses were most active at daytime, while most codfish entered the habitats at night. Wrasses were mainly occurring in the seaweed habitats, while codfish dominated the seagrass samples. The kelps had highest numbers of individuals, while seagrasses showed highest species diversity. The turf habitats did not result in dramatic negative effects on the fish fauna. Fish can take advantage of other adjacent habitats, a benefit that could be reduced by expanding shifts from kelps to turfs.
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