Browsing by Author "Christie, H."
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- North Atlantic phylogeography and large-scale population differentiation of the seagrass Zostera marina L.Publication . Olsen, J. L.; Stam, W. T.; Coyer, J. A.; Reusch, T. B. H.; Billingham, M. R.; Boström, C.; Calvert, E.; Christie, H.; Granger, S.; La Lumière, R.; Milchakova, N.; Oudot-Le Secq, M.- P.; Procaccini, G.; Sanjabi, B.; Serrão, Ester; Veldsink, J.; Widdicombe, S.; Wyllie-Echeverria, S.As the most widespread seagrass in temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere, Zostera marina provides a unique opportunity to investigate the extent to which the historical legacy of the last glacial maximum (LGM18 000–10 000 years BP) is detectable in modern population genetic structure. We used sequences from the nuclear rDNA–internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast mat K-intron, and nine microsatellite loci to survey 49 populations (> 2000 individuals) from throughout the species’ range. Minimal sequence variation between Pacific and Atlantic populations combined with biogeographical groupings derived from the microsatellite data, suggest that the trans-Arctic connection is currently open. The east Pacific and west Atlantic are more connected than either is to the east Atlantic. Allelic richness was almost two-fold higher in the Pacific. Populations from putative Atlantic refugia now represent the southern edges of the distribution and are not genetically diverse. Unexpectedly, the highest allelic diversity was observed in the North Sea–Wadden Sea–southwest Baltic region. Except for the Mediterranean and Black Seas, significant isolation-by-distance was found from ~150 to 5000 km. A transition from weak to strong isolation-by-distance occurred at ~150 km among northern European populations suggesting this scale as the natural limit for dispersal within the metapopulation. Links between historical and contemporary processes are discussed in terms of the projected effects of climate change on coastal marine plants. The identification of a high genetic diversity hotspot in Northern Europe provides a basis for restoration decisions.
- Status, trends and drivers of kelp forests in Europe: an expert assessmentPublication . Araújo, R. M.; Assis, J.; Aguillar, R.; Airoldi, L.; Bárbara, I.; Bartsch, I.; Bekkby, T.; Christie, H.; Davoult, D.; Derrien-Courtel, S.; Fernandez, C.; Fredriksen, S.; Gevaert, F.; Gundersen, H.; Le Gal, A.; Leveque, L.; Mieszkowska, N.; Norderhaug, K. M.; Oliveira, P.; Puente, A.; Rico, J. M.; Rinde, E.; Schubert, H.; Strain, E. M.; Valero, Myriam; Viard, F.; Sousa-Pinto, I.A comprehensive expert consultation was conducted in order to assess the status, trends and the most important drivers of change in the abundance and geographical distribution of kelp forests in European waters. This consultation included an on-line questionnaire, results from a workshop and data provided by a selected group of experts working on kelp forest mapping and eco-evolutionary research. Differences in status and trends according to geographical areas, species identity and small-scale variations within the same habitat where shown by assembling and mapping kelp distribution and trend data. Significant data gaps for some geographical regions, like the Mediterranean and the southern Iberian Peninsula, were also identified. The data used for this study confirmed a general trend with decreasing abundance of some native kelp species at their southern distributional range limits and increasing abundance in other parts of their distribution (Saccharina latissima and Saccorhiza polyschides). The expansion of the introduced species Undaria pinnatifida was also registered. Drivers of observed changes in kelp forests distribution and abundance were assessed using experts' opinions. Multiple possible drivers were identified, including global warming, sea urchin grazing, harvesting, pollution and fishing pressure, and their impact varied between geographical areas. Overall, the results highlight major threats for these ecosystems but also opportunities for conservation. Major requirements to ensure adequate protection of coastal kelp ecosystems along European coastlines are discussed, based on the local to regional gaps detected in the study.