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Growth dynamics of Saccharina latissima (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) in Aarhus Bay, Denmark, and along the species’ distribution range

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Abstract

Growth dynamics of Saccharina latissima in a Danish embayment (56°03.793N, 10°16.148E) were investigated through an annual cycle (March 1999–March 2000) and related to patterns found in previous studies covering the distribution range of the species. The kelps exhibited meristematic growth as well as distal tissue loss all year around. Elongation rate peaked in spring (March–May, 0.75 cm day−1), whereas maximum biomass growth occurred in May–July at higher insolation. S. latissima accumulated nitrogen (N) in November–March, when ambient N levels were high and the fast growth in March–July was followed by a depletion of these reserves. Light regimes and seasonal fluctuations of nutrients were, thus, major factors explaining the seasonal growth pattern of S. latissima in this temperate bay. Differences in light and exposure along depth gradients affected the growth, loss and storage product dynamics. High losses of N and carbon (C) through summer abscission of distal tissue question the efficiency of translocation, especially at shallower depths, where losses are accelerated by, e.g., high temperature. A large-scale comparison further highlighted that warming advanced the timing, increased the level of peak growth and also seemed to expand the growth period. Growth rates of the studied Danish population fell in the low end of the range for similar latitudes and temperatures, probably due to sub-optimal salinities (avg. 23.3 psu) in combination with periodically high summer temperatures (max. 21.1 °C).

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by The Danish Council of Strategic Research and carried out as a part of the MacroAlgae Biorefinery (MAB3) project. Morten Foldager Pedersen, Roskilde University, is thanked for valuable comments to an earlier version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark

    Mette Møller Nielsen, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Rikke Thinggaard, Peter Bondo Christensen & Annette Bruhn

  2. Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Building 1135, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Birgit Olesen

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  1. Mette Møller Nielsen
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  2. Dorte Krause-Jensen
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  3. Birgit Olesen
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  4. Rikke Thinggaard
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  5. Peter Bondo Christensen
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  6. Annette Bruhn
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Correspondence to Mette Møller Nielsen.

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Communicated by F. Weinberger.

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Nielsen, M.M., Krause-Jensen, D., Olesen, B. et al. Growth dynamics of Saccharina latissima (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) in Aarhus Bay, Denmark, and along the species’ distribution range. Mar Biol 161, 2011–2022 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2482-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2482-y

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