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Abstract

Ecosystem engineering kelp forms habitat and influences associated communities by altering abiotic conditions. These conditions can also affect the engineer's own demographic rates but the mechanisms underpinning these feedbacks are not well known. Here, we tested the interactive effects of three abiotic factors engineered by the Australasian kelp Ecklonia radiata (light, water flow and scour) on the early survivorship and growth of its outplanted microscopic recruits. After six weeks, recruit survivorship was high in the absence of scour and low light (2–3 times higher than when scour was present) and under low water flow-ambient light conditions. Growth of sporophytes was strongly related to light, with recruits under ambient light approximately four times larger after six weeks. Overall, reduced scour (for survivorship) and ambient light (for growth) appear crucial for maximising E. radiata recruitment suggesting a healthy forest can provide microenvironments to enhance survivorship while gaps in the canopy enhance growth.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Tatsumi, M and Layton, C and Cameron, MJ and Shelamoff, V and Johnson, CR and Wright, JT
Keywords:	kelp, recruitment, ecosystem engineering, positive feedback
Journal or Publication Title:	Marine Environmental Research
Publisher:	Elsevier Sci Ltd
ISSN:	0141-1136
DOI / ID Number:	10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105450
Copyright Information:	© 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Related URLs:	Google Scholar: Johnson, CR UTAS Profile: Johnson, CR Google Scholar: Wright, JT UTAS Profile: Wright, JT
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