Abstract
With marine protected areas being established worldwide there is a pressing need to understand how the physical setting in which these areas are placed influences patterns of dispersal and connectivity of important marine organisms. This is particularly critical for dynamic and complex nearshore marine environments where patterns of genetic structure of organisms are often chaotic and uncoupled from broad scale physical processes. This study determines the influence of habitat heterogeneity (presence of estuaries) on patterns of genetic structure and connectivity of the common kelp, Ecklonia radiata. There was no genetic differentiation of kelp between estuaries and the open coast and the presence of estuaries did not increase genetic differentiation among open coast populations. Similarly, there were no differences in level of inbreeding or genetic diversity between estuarine and open coast populations. The presence of large estuaries along rocky coastlines does not appear to influence genetic structure of this kelp and factors other than physical heterogeneity of habitat are likely more important determinants of regional connectivity. Marine reserves are currently lacking in this bioregion and may be designated in the future. Knowledge of the factors that influence important habitat forming organisms such as kelp contribute to informed and effective marine protected area design and conservation initiatives to maintain resilience of important marine habitats.
Highlights
Knowledge of the physical and biological factors that structure patterns of connectivity and dispersal of nearshore marine organisms is critical for effective marine conservation [1,2]
This section of coastline was chosen because (i) it has 4 of the largest estuaries on the east coast of Australia within a small geographic distance, (ii) marine parks are potentially warranted in this area to complete a comprehensive coverage of bioregions and knowledge of genetic structure of this important habitat forming species would aid in marine protected areas (MPAs) design and (iii) being the most urbanised coastline in Australia E. radiata may be at risk of substantial declines [26,27]
To design and manage effective networks of MPAs we need to understand the interplay between the physical settings in which these areas are being designated, relative to the biology and ecology of important organisms
Summary
Knowledge of the physical and biological factors that structure patterns of connectivity and dispersal of nearshore marine organisms is critical for effective marine conservation [1,2]. With marine protected areas (MPAs) being established worldwide to protect marine biodiversity and ecological processes, there is a pressing need to understand the interplay between the physical setting in which these areas are placed, relative to biological factors that determine patterns of dispersal of important marine organisms This will ensure that MPAs are optimally designed to maintain connectivity among spatially separated populations and allow informed, adaptive management. Patterns of genetic structure of organisms inhabiting nearshore marine environments and on such local spatial scales often appears chaotic, bearing weak relationships to distances among populations or overarching oceanographic conditions Instead, factors such as location-specific habitat discontinuities or availability [e.g. 4,5], hydrodynamics [e.g. 6,7] and coastal topography [e.g. 8] may structure patterns of genetic connectivity on the regional scales at which MPAs are typically designed
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