Geographical variability in the controls of giant kelp biomass dynamics

摘要: Aim Coastal marine environments experience a wide range of biotic and abiotic forces that can limit punctuate the geographical abundance species through time. Determining relative strengths nonlinear effects these processes is vital to understanding biogeographical structures species. There has been an ongoing discussion concerning importance in controlling dynamics giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, important structure-forming on shallow reefs eastern Pacific. We used novel spatial time-series span nearly three decades determine dominant drivers kelp canopy biomass temporal scales over which they operate across North America. Location Near-shore areas from Ano Nuevo, California, USA/Mexico border. Methods We employed empirical orthogonal functions elucidate primary space time then fit generalized additive linear models effect each potential along c. 1500-km study region 25-year period. Results Wave disturbance, nitrate availability state Pacific Gyre Oscillation were most environmental predictors biomass, explaining 24.5%, 12.7% 6.1% variance, respectively. Environmental exhibited profound differences sizes. Nonlinear shapes driver determined, explained differences. Main conclusions These large-scale analyses help reconcile local-scale conclusions California coastline show differ predictably accordance with local regional drivers. By characterizing drivers, we identified spatio-temporal patterns cannot be detected by remote sensing.