STANDING CROP, TURNOVER, AND PRODUCTION DYNAMICS OF MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA AND UNDERSTORY SPECIES HEDOPHYLLUM NIGRIPES AND NEOAGARUM FIMBRIATUM IN HIGH LATITUDE GIANT KELP FORESTS

Production rates reported for canopy-forming kelps have highlighted the potential contributions of these foundational macroalgal species to carbon cycling and sequestration on a globally relevant scale. Yet, the production dynamics of many kelp species remain poorly resolved. For example, productivity estimates for the widely distributed giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera are based on a few studies from the center of this species' range. To address this geospatial bias, we surveyed giant kelp beds in their high latitude fringe habitat in southeast Alaska to quantify foliar standing crop, growth and loss rates, and productivity of M. pyrifera and co-occurring understory kelps Hedophyllum nigripes and Neoagarum fimbriatum. We found that giant kelp beds at the poleward edge of their range produce similar to 150 g C . m(-2) . year(-1) from a standing biomass that turns over an estimated 2.1 times per year, substantially lower rates than have been observed at lower latitudes. Although the productivity of high latitude M. pyrifera dwarfs production by associated understory kelps in both winter and summer seasons, phenological differences in growth and relative carbon and nitrogen content among the three kelp species suggests their complementary value as nutritional resources to consumers. This work represents the highest latitude consideration of M. pyrifera forest production to date, providing a valuable quantification of kelp carbon cycling in this highly seasonal environment.

Automated summary

This study investigated the production dynamics of giant kelp beds in high latitude fringe habitats in southeast Alaska, finding that the productivity rates were lower compared to lower latitudes. Despite the higher productivity of giant kelp compared to understory kelps, differences in growth and carbon and nitrogen content among the three kelp species suggest their complementary nutritional value.