Sea temperature shapes seasonal fluctuations in seaweed biomass within the Ningaloo coral reef ecosystem

Sea temperature is the primary driver of seasonal fluctuations in seaweed biomass within the Ningaloo coral reef ecosystem, according to a study conducted over 26 months. The research found that canopy-forming Sargassum spp. reached peak biomass during warm summer months (up to 1013 g fresh weight per 0.25 m²), while understory seaweeds like Dictyopteris and Lobophora thrived in winter when the Sargassum canopy was at its lowest. Statistical analysis revealed that sea temperature, measured one month prior to biomass assessment, along with location, explained 78% of the variation in Sargassum spp. biomass. The study also highlighted spatial heterogeneity at the kilometer scale, suggesting that local conditions play a significant role alongside temperature. Given the ecological importance of seaweeds, these findings imply that climate change could substantially impact coral reef productivity and biodiversity.

Fulton, C. J., Depczynski, Martial., Holmes, T. H., Noble, M. M., Radford, B., Wernberg, T., & Wilson, S. K. (2014). Sea temperature shapes seasonal fluctuations in seaweed biomass within the Ningaloo coral reef ecosystem. Limnology and Oceanography, 59(1), 156–166. Portico. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2014.59.1.0156