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Pathways to Spatial Subsidies by Kelp in Seagrass Meadows

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Abstract

Spatial subsidies often occur from highly productive donor ecosystems to recipient systems with low productivity, but little is known about subsidies between highly productive ecosystems. Here, we investigated whether the kelp Ecklonia radiata, which is frequently dislodged from reefs, provides spatial subsidies in adjacent seagrass meadow where in situ productivity is already high. We clarified the pathways of the allochthonous kelp as a spatial subsidy by adding 15N-enriched kelp to Posidonia sinuosa seagrass meadows, tracing the uptake of kelp-derived nitrogen by seagrass epiphytes and epifauna. We observed a 32.5–52.2% loss of kelp biomass (wet weight), representing almost 13,000 μg of 15N from the labelled kelp. This corresponded with an increase in δ15N and 15N biomass of detritivores and epiphytes, showing either a direct or indirect (via epiphytes) assimilation of kelp-derived nutrients. The densities and biomass of the gastropod Strigosella lepidus and shrimps were higher in seagrass plots with input of E. radiata, but not for amphipods or the biomass of epiphytes. We estimate that the detritivores and epiphytes in the seagrass plots assimilated about 3% of the 15N released from the labelled kelp, and based on a data from previous study, the seagrass itself could have assimilated up to a further 6% of the released kelp 15N. Our findings show that in a highly productive seagrass ecosystem, where autochthonous food sources are available, the input of allochthonous resources such as kelp can supplement those resources and appears to play an important a role as a vector for a spatial subsidy.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all volunteers, students, and staff of Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research at Edith Cowan University for their assistance in the field and in the laboratory including Pierre Bouvais, Federico Vitelli, Aldo Turco, Thibault de Bettignies, Oscar Serrano, Andrew Mackay, and Alba Estaban. We also thank Peter Kiss for earlier work in developing this study, and Johnny Lo for statistical advice. This research complies with the laws of Australia and was conducted under the permission of the Department of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Dr, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia

    Audrey E. Cartraud, Paul S. Lavery, Caitlin M. Rae & Glenn A. Hyndes

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  1. Audrey E. Cartraud
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  2. Paul S. Lavery
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  3. Caitlin M. Rae
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Contributions

Audrey E. Cartraud: Designed the study, performed the field work and the laboratory work, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper.

Paul S. Lavery: Designed the study and reviewed the paper.

Caitlin M. Rae: Performed the laboratory work.

Glenn A. Hyndes: Designed the study, performed the field work, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper.

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Correspondence to Audrey E. Cartraud.

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Communicated by Masahiro Nakaoka

Highlights

• The input of kelp in seagrass meadows increased the densities and biomass of gastropods and shrimps.

• Epifauna and epiphytes showed high uptake of 15N from allochthonous kelp.

• Allochthonous kelp play an important a role as a vector for a spatial subsidy in seagrass meadows.

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Cartraud, A.E., Lavery, P.S., Rae, C.M. et al. Pathways to Spatial Subsidies by Kelp in Seagrass Meadows. Estuaries and Coasts 44, 468–480 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00860-8

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