Global ecosystem typology

Alternative site for the Global ecosystem typology with additional information for ecosystem profiles and indicative maps.

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M1.2 Kelp forests

Biome: M1. Marine shelf biome

Contributors:
(texts)

Kelps (large, brown macroalgae up to 30m in length) form the basis of these highly productive systems found on shallow, subtidal rocky reefs around cold temperate and polar coastlines. Their forest-like structure and vertical habitat supports diverse epiflora and –fauna living on the kelp itself, as well as rich communities of invertebrates, fish and marine birds and mammals living and foraging in and around these ecosystems. High nutrient requirements mean these ecosystems are often associated with upwelling water, while wave action and currents are important for replenishing oxygen.

Key Features

Hard subtidal substrates in cold, clear nutrient-rich waters with dominant brown algal macrophytes, associated epibiota, benthic macrofauna, fish & mammals.

Overview of distribution

Cool temperate coastal waters or regions receiving cold currents.

Profile versions

  • v1.0 (2020-01-20): DA Keith; MJ Bishop; EJ Gregr
  • v2.0 (2020-05-27): DA Keith; MJ Bishop; SN Porter; EJ Gregr
  • v2.01 ():
  • v2.1 (2022-04-06): DA Keith; MJ Bishop; SN Porter; EJ Gregr Full profile available at official site

Main references

Selected references for this functional group:

  • Bennett S, Wernberg T, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ et al. (2015) Canopy interactions and physical stress gradients in subtidal communities Ecology Letters 18: 677–686 DOI:10.1111/ele.12446

  • Steneck RS, Graham MH, Bourque BJ, Corbett D, Erlandson JM, Estes JA, Tegner MJ (2002) Kelp forest ecosystems - biodiversity, stability, resilience and future. In: Environmental Conservation 29: 436–459.

Diagrammatic assembly model

Diagrammatic assembly model of M1.2 Kelp forests. See general notes on diagrams. Open image full size.

Maps

Maps are indicative of global distribution patterns are not intended to represent fine-scale patterns. The maps show areas of the world containing major (coloured red) or minor occurrences (coloured yellow) of each ecosystem functional group. See general notes on maps.

There are 2 alternative versions of the indicative map for this functional group, please compare description and sources below.

M1.2.IM.orig_v2.1

Datasets

  • MEOW-2008
  • Kelpforest-list
  • SRTM30-PLUS-V11

Map references

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

  • Wernberg T, Filbee-Dexter K (2019) Missing the marine forest for the trees Mar Ecol Prog Ser 612:209-215 DOI:10.3354/meps12867

  • Becker JJ, Sandwell DT, Smith WHF, Braud J, Binder B, Depner J, Fabre D, Factor J, Ingalls S, Kim S-H, Ladner R, Marks K, Nelson S, Pharaoh A, Trimmer R, Von Rosenberg J, Wallace G, Weatherall P (2009) Global Bathymetry and Elevation Data at 30 Arc Seconds Resolution: SRTM30_PLUS, Marine Geodesy 32: 355-371. DOI:10.1080/01490410903297766

M1.2.web.orig_v2.2

Ecoregions with major and minor occurrences of Kelp forests were identified by overlaying a global map of kelp systems (Wernberg and Filbee-Dexter 2019) on marine ecoregions (Spalding et al. 2008), and then clipping to bathymetry with <80m depth (Becker et al. 2009). Clipped ecoregions were assigned to major and minor occurrences based on information in Wernberg and Filbee-Dexter (2019) and author expertise, and proofed by specialist reviewers. Occurrences were converted to 30 arc second spatial resolution. Open image full size.

Datasets

  • MEOW-2008
  • Kelpforest-list

Map references

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

  • Wernberg T, Filbee-Dexter K (2019) Missing the marine forest for the trees Mar Ecol Prog Ser 612:209-215 DOI:10.3354/meps12867

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