Marine macroalgae are important foundation species on rocky shores. The large, habitat-forming species, in particular support a variety of associated flora and fauna. The Baltic Sea is naturally species-poor due to brackish water, and perennial, large macroalgae such as Fucus vesiculosus have high ecological importance and are characterized as foundation species in hard substrate bottoms. In the Baltic Sea, climate change has been predicted to result in elevated seawater temperatures, declining salinity, caused by increases in rainfall, coastal eutrophication and ocean acidification (OA). These changes may be harmful for macroalgae either directly or through interacting effects. This thesis investigates the potential effects of climate change on the Baltic macroalgae, focusing on the foundation species Fucus vesiculosus.
Takolander A., 2018. Assessing the effects of climate change on Baltic Sea macroalgae – implications for the foundation species Fucus vesiculosus L. PhD thesis, University of Helsinki. 60 p. Thesis.
