Kelp responses to temperature at 5-10 meters depth at three locations along the California coast from September to December 2016

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is a globally distributed foundation species with seasonal fluctuations in abundance in response to local nutrient levels, storm intensity, and ocean temperatures. In this study, we examined individual and population level responses of early life history stages (zoospore settlement, survival, and gametogenesis) to increased temperatures to determine the capacity for temperature-tolerant individuals to allow adaptation in a changing climate. We collected fertile M. pyrifera sporophyll blades from three sites along the California coast (Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Monterey Bay) and induced zoospore release in the lab. Spores settled on microscope slides at three treatment temperatures (16º, 20º, 22º C), matured for 21 days, and were imaged weekly to determine settlement, survival, and maturation success. On average, individuals from all sites showed lower rates of settlement and maturation in response to increasing temperature.

巨藻（Macrocystis pyrifera）是一种全球分布的建群种，其丰度会随本地营养盐水平、风暴强度及海水温度的变化出现季节性波动。本研究针对升温条件下巨藻早期生活史阶段（游动孢子附着、存活及配子发生）的个体及种群水平响应展开探究，旨在明确耐温个体在气候变化背景下的适应潜力。研究人员从加利福尼亚沿岸3个站点（洛杉矶、圣巴巴拉、蒙特雷湾）采集了具繁殖能力的巨藻孢子叶，并在实验室中诱导其释放游动孢子；将孢子接种于载玻片上，分别置于16℃、20℃、22℃三个处理温度下培养21天，每周通过成像统计附着率、存活率及成熟成功率。总体而言，所有采样站点的巨藻个体在升温环境下的附着率与成熟率均有所降低。