Franco JN, Wernberg T, Bertocci I, Duarte P, Jacinto D, Vasco-Rodrigues N, Tuya F

Herbivory drives kelp recruits into 'hiding' in a warm ocean climate

Integrating the effects of biological and physical mechanisms across climate gradients provides an insight into potential trajectories of the distribution change for foundation species in a warmer future. The presence of kelps across southern Europe has, to date exclusively been linked to ocean temperature and nutrients, with no consideration of herbivory or local reef complexity. Franco and colleagues show that, in addition to climatic conditions, herbivory and local topographical features play a significant role in determining the survivorship of kelp recruits towards their southern distribution limit in continental Portugal.

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