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By Feryal Jamal Kherissat KELP FOREST By Feryal Jamal Kherissat

I know few things more surprising than to see this plant growing and flourishing amidst those breakers of the western ocean, which no mass of rock, let it be ever so hard, can long resist. Charles Darwin (1860)

Kelp Anatomy Blade - leaf-like : photosynthesis. Stipe - stem-like structure. Pneumatocyst - Float - air filled bladder @ base of each blade keeps plant at surface for photosynthesis.   Holdfast - . Anchor, not root. Kelp Anatomy

Adaptations of Kelp A strong holdfast anchors the kelp to the substrate. A flexible blade moves with the motion of the waves. Growth occurs between the stipe and the blade instead of at the blade tip, where erosion happens. A hollow stipe offers some buoyancy to the kelp structure.

Uh oh…quick biology review Alternation of Generations sporophyte – makes spores gametophyte – makes gametes

Life cycle of a typical kelp Laminaria sp

Kelp that has been ripped off it's moorings will sometime gather into what is known as drift kelp. This kelp floats and drifts with the currents. This living kelp can, under the right conditions, re-anchor itself in a new area.

The Geographic Distribution Of Kelp Forests.

Extent of kelp beds depend on: DISTRUBUTION Extent of kelp beds depend on: Hard substrate must be available for attachment. Light. Cold temperature (absent in warm temperature and tropical area). Nutrients (Kelps limited by low nutrients).

The Geographic Distribution Of Kelp Forests

Ecosystem Architecture 4-Midwater and Surface-canopy kelps include the largest species and often constitute floating canopies that extend to the ocean surface (Macrocystis, Nereocysitis). 3-Understory-canopy kelps: A) lie near and along the sea floor (Laminaria). B) Extend a few meters above the sea floor and can grow in dense aggregations (Eisenia). 2-Bottom-canopy plants (Gelidium, plocamium). 1-The benthic assemblage is composed of other algal species, sessile organisms along the ocean bottom, and encrusting coralline algae . Gelidium Eisenia arborea

Kelp Productivity Among the fastest growing plants in the world in either marine or terrestrial habitats. Maximum elongation rates in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyriferaare on the order of 12 -18 inches per day. Kelp forests are among the most productive communities in the world. Estimates of productivity comparable to tropical rain forests.

Only about 5-10 % of the primary production is consumed by grazers in either terrestrial or kelp forests. In terrestrial forests most of the biomass accumulate on the ground and persists as litter on the forest floor. There is small accumulation of kelp litter because kelps continually sluff organic material which ultimately enters the near shore food web.

The Voyage of the Beagle "The numbers of living creatures of all Orders whose existence intimately depends on kelp is wonderful… I can only compare these great aquatic forests with the terrestrial ones in the inter tropical regions." Yet if in any country a forest was destroyed, I do not believe nearly so many species of animals would perish as would here from the destruction of kelp.“ Charles Darwin (1860) The Voyage of the Beagle

Kelp As Nurseries Blades break waves/currents (rock lobsters, abalone, snapper and wrasse). Shade allows growth of delicate algae provide food for a range of grazing animals ( snails). Hiding spaces between plants offers protection for non-moving animals (sponges , sea squirts). Blades and stipes = anchoring point for small algae which in turn can be eaten by grazing animals.

Kelp Vs. Herbivores Urchins Snails

Kelp Forest Food Webs Sea Otters are at the top of the kelp forest food chain No sea otters—sea urchins take the top spot

Habitat Issue

Mechanical forces (storm) Ripped by storms LAND TUMBLE BEACH continue food for to live herbivores/ detritivores

Marine pollution and water quality Die from Sewage Fertilizers Suspended sediment (dredging/ erosion phytoplankton)

This caused by dense plankton blooms, lasting for over six weeks, with visibility less than 4m. The next year, a similar disaster happened, and it took six years before the kelp forest had a closed canopy again. Murky water causes untimely kelp death, the ones lower down being starved of light first. This kelp forest is symptomatic of habitat degradation.

Invasion species The arrival of species from other countries: grow faster out compete for space on rocky reefs. Underlie pinnatifida wakame

Kelp Harvesting And Fisheries food for other species food for humans toothpatse/antacid