The retreat of large brown seaweeds on the north coast of Spain: the case of Saccorhiza polyschides

Abstract

Recent changes in kelp distribution along the north coast of Spain are described and analysed through a long-term population study focused on Saccorhiza polyschides. The main purpose of this work was to understand which population processes are more sensitive to increased sea surface temperatures and reductions in the intensity of upwelling episodes in the current scenario of global warming. Data on the distribution of kelp species (old and recent data) were obtained from the literature and compared with current species distributions assessed by field sampling between 2007 and 2010 and covering a transition coastline of 200 km. The long-term population study of Saccorhiza polyschides was conducted at a site close to the edge of its current distribution. Data for recruitment, growth and survival, as well as density and supported biomass of populations collected since the 1990s were analysed using data from the late 1970s for comparison. Kelps on the north coast of Spain have shown a westward retreat since the 1980s. Dense populations of Saccorhiza polyschides, the most important species, and Laminaria ochroleuca have been reduced to small patches and isolated individuals east of Peñas Cape (43° 39.4′ N; 5° 50.8′ W). The long-term study of Saccorhiza polyschides populations showed a collapse in the growth of the sporophyte and very low recruitment from the beginning of this century. The possible causal factors of this population decline and its consequences are considered, suggesting that long warm summer periods (more than 30 consecutive days of seawater temperature > 20°C) could alter kelp performance.