Cumulative stress restricts niche filling potential of habitat-forming kelps in a future climate

摘要: Summary Climate change is driving range contractions and local population extinctions across the globe. When this affects ecosystem engineers vacant niches left behind are likely to alter wider unless a similar species can fulfil them. Here, we explore stress physiology of two coexisting kelps undergoing opposing shifts in Northeast Atlantic discuss what differences may mean for future niche filling. We used chlorophyll florescence (Fv/Fm) differentiation Heat Shock Response (HSR) determine capacity expanding kelp, Laminaria ochroleuca, move into higher shore position retreating digitata. We applied both single consecutive exposures immersed emersed high low temperature treatments, replicating tide experienced summer winter. No interspecific HSR were observed which was surprising given species’ different biogeographic distributions. However, revealed clear between with L. ochroleuca better equipped tolerate temperatures but showed little frosts or emersion temperatures. Many patterns only apparent after exposures. Such cumulative effects have largely been overlooked tolerance experiments on intertidal organisms despite being more representative natural habitats. therefore suggest incorporate their design. Climate predicted result fewer ground increased temperatures. Therefore, be released from its cold limit winter still prevented moving up due desiccation summer. will however able tidal pools. partial filling by possible system as climate advances. This article protected copyright. All rights reserved.