| 1. |
- Ragazzola, Federica, et al.
(författare)
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Carbonate chemistry and temperature dynamics in an alga dominated habitat
- 2021
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Ingår i: Regional Studies in Marine Science. - : Elsevier. - 2352-4855. ; 44
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent works have begun to explore the magnitude and frequency of localized changes in seawater chemistry in shallow water systems, where the effects of warming and acidification are still unpredictable. In a Mediterranean shallow coastal site, we empirically characterized the diel, seasonal, and annual pattern of pH, temperature, and associated chemical changes on one Ellisolandia elongata ‘corniche’, (i.e. a coastal algal biogenic reef). Local benthic metabolism together with temperature, were two of the main drivers for the carbonate system variation over diel and seasonal cycles. During the 12-month study, a total of seven heatwave events were recorded (two of which occurred in winter) with the longest lasting 11 days. The present study highlights the importance of improving the knowledge of changes and dynamics occurring at local scale, by extending in situ data acquisition at shallow coastal sites, in order to better assess the impacts of climate change on both environment and ecosystems.
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| 2. |
- Ragazzola, Federica, et al.
(författare)
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An intertidal life : Combined effects of acidification and winter heatwaves on a coralline alga (Ellisolandia elongata) and its associated invertebrate community
- 2021
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Ingår i: Marine Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0141-1136 .- 1879-0291. ; 169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In coastal marine ecosystems coralline algae often create biogenic reefs. These calcareous algal reefs affect their associated invertebrate communities via diurnal oscillations in photosynthesis, respiration and calcification processes. Little is known about how these biogenic reefs function and how they will be affected by climate change. We investigated the winter response of a Mediterranean intertidal biogenic reef, Ellissolandia elongata exposed in the laboratory to reduced pH conditions (i.e. ambient pH – 0.3, RCP 8.5) together with an extreme heatwave event (+1.4 °C for 15 days). Response variables considered both the algal physiology (calcification and photosynthetic rates) and community structure of the associated invertebrates (at taxonomic and functional level). The combination of a reduced pH with a heatwave event caused Ellisolandia elongata to significantly increase photosynthetic activity. The high variability of calcification that occurred during simulated night time conditions, indicates that there is not a simple, linear relationship between these two and may indicate that it will be resilient to future conditions of climate change.In contrast, the associated fauna were particularly negatively affected by the heatwave event, which impoverished the communities as opportunistic taxa became dominant. Local increases in oxygen and pH driven by the algae can buffer the microhabitat in the algal fronds, thus favouring the survival of small invertebrates.
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| 3. |
- Ragazzola, Federica, et al.
(författare)
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Early stage ecological communities on artificial algae showed no difference in diversity and abundance under ocean acidification
- 2024
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Ingår i: Hydrobiologia. - : Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. - 0018-8158 .- 1573-5117. ; 851:8, s. 1939-1955
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Marine habitat-forming species create structurally complex habitats that host macroinvertebrate communities characterized by remarkable abundance and species richness. These habitat-forming species also play a fundamental role in creating favourable environmental conditions that promote biodiversity. The deployment of artificial structures is becoming a common practice to help offset habitat loss although with mixed results. This study investigated the suitability of artificial flexible turfs mimicking the articulated coralline algae (mimics) as habitat providers and the effect of ocean acidification (OA) on early stage ecological communities associated to flexible mimics and with the mature community associated to Ellisolandia elongata natural turfs. The mimics proved to be a suitable habitat for early stage communities. During the OA mesocosms experiment, the two substrates have been treated and analysed separately due to the difference between the two communities. For early stage ecological communities associated with the mimics, the lack of a biologically active substrate does not exacerbate the effect of OA. In fact, no significant differences were found between treatments in crustaceans, molluscs and polychaetes diversity and abundance associated with the mimics. In mature communities associated with natural turfs, buffering capability of E. elongata is supporting different taxonomic groups, except for molluscs, greatly susceptible to OA.
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