M1.2 Kelp forests

M1. Marine shelf biome

M1

Profile summary

Full profile at https://global-ecosystems.org/explore/groups/M1.2

Brief description

Kelps (large, brown macroalgae up to 30m in length) form the basis of these highly productive systems found on shallow, subtidal rocky reefs around cold temperate and polar coastlines. Their forest-like structure and vertical habitat supports diverse epiflora and –fauna living on the kelp itself, as well as rich communities of invertebrates, fish and marine birds and mammals living and foraging in and around these ecosystems. High nutrient requirements mean these ecosystems are often associated with upwelling water, while wave action and currents are important for replenishing oxygen.

Key features

Hard subtidal substrates in cold, clear nutrient-rich waters with dominant brown algal macrophytes, associated epibiota, benthic macrofauna, fish & mammals.

Overview of distribution

Cool temperate coastal waters or regions receiving cold currents.

Map description

Ecoregions with major and minor occurrences of Kelp forests were identified by overlaying a global map of kelp systems (Wernberg and Filbee-Dexter 2019) on marine ecoregions (Spalding et al. 2008), and then clipping to bathymetry with <80m depth (Becker et al. 2009). Clipped ecoregions were assigned to major and minor occurrences based on information in Wernberg and Filbee-Dexter (2019) and author expertise, and proofed by specialist reviewers. Occurrences were converted to 30 arc second spatial resolution..

Map code and version: M1.2.web.orig v2.2. DOI

Version history

Profile versions

  • v2.1 (2022-04-06): DA Keith; MJ Bishop; SN Porter; EJ Gregr.1
  • v2.01 (NA): NA.
  • v2.0 (2020-05-27): DA Keith; MJ Bishop; SN Porter; EJ Gregr.
  • v1.0 (2020-01-20): DA Keith; MJ Bishop; EJ Gregr.

Available maps

Read more details about the current map versions here.

  • Web navigation (code: M1.2.web.orig, version v2.2)
  • Indicative Map (code: M1.2.IM.orig, version v2.1)

Read more details about older or alternative versions of maps for this functional group.

  • Web navigation: discarded (code: M1.2.web.orig, version v2.1)
  • Indicative Map: discarded (code: M1.2.IM.orig, version v2.0)
  • Indicative Map: discarded (code: M1.2.IM.orig, version v1.0)
  • Web navigation: requires review (code: M1.2.web.orig, version v1.0)
  • Web navigation: in preparation (code: M1.2.WM.nwx, version v1.0)

References

Main references

References used in the different versions of the profiles.

  • Bennett S, Wernberg T, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ et al. (2015) Canopy interactions and physical stress gradients in subtidal communities Ecology Letters 18: 677–686 DOI:10.1111/ele.12446
  • Steneck RS, Graham MH, Bourque BJ, Corbett D, Erlandson JM, Estes JA, Tegner MJ (2002) Kelp forest ecosystems - biodiversity, stability, resilience and future. In: Environmental Conservation 29: 436–459.

Map references

References used in the different versions of the maps (current and discarded).

  • Becker JJ, Sandwell DT, Smith WHF, Braud J, Binder B, Depner J, Fabre D, Factor J, Ingalls S, Kim S-H, Ladner R, Marks K, Nelson S, Pharaoh A, Trimmer R, Von Rosenberg J, Wallace G, Weatherall P (2009) Global Bathymetry and Elevation Data at 30 Arc Seconds Resolution: SRTM30_PLUS, Marine Geodesy 32: 355-371. DOI:10.1080/01490410903297766

  • Harris PT, Macmillan-Lawler M, Rupp J, Baker EK (2014) Geomorphology of the oceans. Marine Geology 352: 4-24. 10.1016/j.margeo.2014.01.011

  • Dinusha R.M. Jayathilake, Mark John Costello (2020) A modelled global distribution of the kelp biome Biological Conservation 252: 108815 DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108815

  • Spalding MD, Fox HE, Allen GR, Davidson N, Ferdaña ZA, Finlayson M, Halpern BS, Jorge MA, Lombana A, Lourie SA, Martin KD, McManus E, Molnar J, Recchia CA, Robertson J (2007) Marine ecoregions of the world: a bioregionalization of coastal and shelf areas. Bioscience 57: 573–583. DOI:10.1641/B570707

  • Steneck RS, Graham MH, Bourque BJ, Corbett D, Erlandson JM, Estes JA, Tegner MJ (2002) Kelp forest ecosystems - biodiversity, stability, resilience and future. In: Environmental Conservation 29: 436–459.

  • Wernberg T, Filbee-Dexter K (2019) Missing the marine forest for the trees Mar Ecol Prog Ser 612:209-215 DOI:10.3354/meps12867

Footnotes

  1. This is the current version available at official site.↩︎