The effect of temperature and pH on the growth and biomechanics of coralline algae ...

• Main Author: Guenther, Rebecca
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2016
• Subjects: Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0308744; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0308744

Climate change is progressing rapidly and is causing shifts in ecosystem function, species distributions, biodiversity, and abundances worldwide. In this thesis, I explore the physiological and biomechanical responses of red algae in multiple life history stages to climate change. In Chapter 1, I introduce the looming threat of climate change, and some of the forces driving ocean acidification. I introduce my study system and my study species: rocky intertidal ecosystems and articulated coralline algae. I also describe potential differences in responses to ocean acidification based on life history stage. Finally, I give an overview of my dissertation and objectives. In Chapter 2, I investigate the effect that ocean acidification may have on spore stages of red algae. Under reduced pH, I document a reduction in spore settlement of both Pterosiphonia bipinnata and Corallina vancouveriensis, and weakened spore attachment in C. vancouveriensis. Results demonstrate that ocean acidification can negatively impact ...