Coralline algae (rhodophyta) in a changing world: integrating ecological, physiological, and geochemical responses to global change

McCoy, S. J. and Kamenos, N. A. (2015) Coralline algae (rhodophyta) in a changing world: integrating ecological, physiological, and geochemical responses to global change. Journal of Phycology, 51(1), pp. 6-24. (doi: 10.1111/jpy.12262)

Abstract

Coralline algae are globally distributed benthic primary producers that secrete calcium carbonate skeletons. In the context of ocean acidification, they have received much recent attention due to the potential vulnerability of their high-Mg calcite skeletons and their many important ecological roles. Herein, we summarize what is known about coralline algal ecology and physiology, providing context to understand their responses to global climate change. We review the impacts of these changes, including ocean acidification, rising temperatures, and pollution, on coralline algal growth and calcification. We also assess the ongoing use of coralline algae as marine climate proxies via calibration of skeletal morphology and geochemistry to environmental conditions. Finally, we indicate critical gaps in our understanding of coralline algal calcification and physiology and highlight key areas for future research. These include analytical areas that recently have become more accessible, such as resolving phylogenetic relationships at all taxonomic ranks, elucidating the genes regulating algal photosynthesis and calcification, and calibrating skeletal geochemical metrics, as well as research directions that are broadly applicable to global change ecology, such as the importance of community-scale and long-term experiments in stress response.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kamenos, Professor Nick
• Authors: McCoy, S. J., and Kamenos, N. A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Phycology
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
• ISSN: 0022-3646
• ISSN (Online): 1529-8817
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Phycology 51(1):6-24
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License