Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from Oman
Abstract Kelp forests are declining in many regions globally with climatic perturbations causing shifts to alternate communities and significant ecological and economic loss. Range edge populations are often at most risk and are often only sustained through localised areas of upwelling or on deeper...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08264-3 |
| _version_ | 1818356583847952384 |
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| author | M. A. Coleman M. Reddy M. J. Nimbs A. Marshell S. A. Al-Ghassani J. J. Bolton B. P. Jupp O. De Clerck F. Leliaert C. Champion G. A. Pearson E. A. Serrão P. Madeira T. Wernberg |
| author_facet | M. A. Coleman M. Reddy M. J. Nimbs A. Marshell S. A. Al-Ghassani J. J. Bolton B. P. Jupp O. De Clerck F. Leliaert C. Champion G. A. Pearson E. A. Serrão P. Madeira T. Wernberg |
| author_sort | M. A. Coleman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Kelp forests are declining in many regions globally with climatic perturbations causing shifts to alternate communities and significant ecological and economic loss. Range edge populations are often at most risk and are often only sustained through localised areas of upwelling or on deeper reefs. Here we document the loss of kelp forests (Ecklonia radiata) from the Sultanate of Oman, the only confirmed northern hemisphere population of this species. Contemporary surveys failed to find any kelp in its only known historical northern hemisphere location, Sadah on the Dhofar coast. Genetic analyses of historical herbarium specimens from Oman confirmed the species to be E. radiata and revealed the lost population contained a common CO1 haplotype found across South Africa, Australia and New Zealand suggesting it once established through rapid colonisation throughout its range. However, the Omani population also contained a haplotype that is found nowhere else in the extant southern hemisphere distribution of E. radiata. The loss of the Oman population could be due to significant increases in the Arabian Sea temperature over the past 40 years punctuated by suppression of coastal upwelling. Climate-mediated warming is threatening the persistence of temperate species and precipitating loss of unique genetic diversity at lower latitudes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:59:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70b86eda54654f78aa5bc318f35fdb1b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:59:32Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-70b86eda54654f78aa5bc318f35fdb1b2022-12-21T23:33:13ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-03-0112111010.1038/s41598-022-08264-3Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from OmanM. A. Coleman0M. Reddy1M. J. Nimbs2A. Marshell3S. A. Al-Ghassani4J. J. Bolton5B. P. Jupp6O. De Clerck7F. Leliaert8C. Champion9G. A. Pearson10E. A. Serrão11P. Madeira12T. Wernberg13National Marine Science Centre, New South Wales FisheriesDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Cape TownNational Marine Science Centre, New South Wales FisheriesDepartment of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos UniversityFisheries Research Centre - Dhofar, Directorate General of Fisheries Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water ResourceDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Cape TownSenior Consultant – MarineBiology Department, Ghent UniversityBiology Department, Ghent UniversityNational Marine Science Centre, New South Wales FisheriesCCMAR, CIMAR, University of AlgarveCCMAR, CIMAR, University of AlgarveCCMAR, CIMAR, University of AlgarveUWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western AustraliaAbstract Kelp forests are declining in many regions globally with climatic perturbations causing shifts to alternate communities and significant ecological and economic loss. Range edge populations are often at most risk and are often only sustained through localised areas of upwelling or on deeper reefs. Here we document the loss of kelp forests (Ecklonia radiata) from the Sultanate of Oman, the only confirmed northern hemisphere population of this species. Contemporary surveys failed to find any kelp in its only known historical northern hemisphere location, Sadah on the Dhofar coast. Genetic analyses of historical herbarium specimens from Oman confirmed the species to be E. radiata and revealed the lost population contained a common CO1 haplotype found across South Africa, Australia and New Zealand suggesting it once established through rapid colonisation throughout its range. However, the Omani population also contained a haplotype that is found nowhere else in the extant southern hemisphere distribution of E. radiata. The loss of the Oman population could be due to significant increases in the Arabian Sea temperature over the past 40 years punctuated by suppression of coastal upwelling. Climate-mediated warming is threatening the persistence of temperate species and precipitating loss of unique genetic diversity at lower latitudes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08264-3 |
| spellingShingle | M. A. Coleman M. Reddy M. J. Nimbs A. Marshell S. A. Al-Ghassani J. J. Bolton B. P. Jupp O. De Clerck F. Leliaert C. Champion G. A. Pearson E. A. Serrão P. Madeira T. Wernberg Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from Oman Scientific Reports |
| title | Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from Oman |
| title_full | Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from Oman |
| title_fullStr | Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from Oman |
| title_full_unstemmed | Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from Oman |
| title_short | Loss of a globally unique kelp forest from Oman |
| title_sort | loss of a globally unique kelp forest from oman |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08264-3 |
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