February 27, 2017 (10:30 – 11:30 am), Institute of Biology, UP Diliman, Room 117 — IB Seminar:
Some like it hot and tart, but not zapped: responses of different life history stages of cold-temperate and polar seaweeds to ocean warming, ocean acidification, and ultraviolet radiation by Dr. Michael Y. Roleda
Researcher, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)
Seaweeds are foundation species that provide 3-dimensional habitat, nursery ground, and food for invertebrates and fish. All seaweeds (red, green, and brown) have complex life cycles, with unicellular and microscopic cryptic stages. These early life history stages may be more vulnerable to environmental stress factors, e.g. ocean warming, ocean acidification, and ultraviolet radiation, among others, than their corresponding adult stages upon which most research has focused. The survival of these microscopic stages is important to sustain the next generation of ecosystem-engineering macroscopic population. A massive decrease in recruitment success of benthic primary producers will have profound flow-on effects on the population densities of canopy-forming adult stages and the ecosystem they support. Knowledge on species’ survival thresholds is key in preserving marine biodiversity.