Arctic | Lower Trophic Levels MASTER’S POSTER PRESENTATION The effect of sedimentation on spore settlement and recruitment of the Arctic kelp, Laminaria solidungula Presenter: Jaide Phelps , jtphelps@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Katrin Iken , kbiken@alaska.edu, University of Alaska - Fairbanks
Kenneth Dunton , ken.dunton@utexas.edu, University of Texas at Austin Arley Muth , arley.muth@utexas.edu, University of Texas at Austin Brenda Konar , bhkonar@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Schery Umanzor , sumanzor@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks
The Arctic is experiencing rapid rates of environmental change facilitated by climate change and human development. Abrupt changes to the natural environment can exacerbate the effects that current abiotic stressors, such as sedimentation, have on Arctic organisms. For example, high sedimentation rates in some Arctic regions from enhanced river discharge, permafrost melt, coastal erosion, or construction activities can be detrimental to kelp abundance and distribution, possibly due to increased mortality of spores or settlement disruption. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of sedimentation on spore settlement and viability of the endemic Arctic kelp Laminaria solidungula through a series of lab-based experiments. We hypothesized that spore settlement and viability decrease under increasing sediment loads. Reproductive L. solidungula individuals were collected from the Stefansson Sound Boulder Patch in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea and cultured until the induction of spore release. Spores were exposed to increasing sediment loads in three experimental designs simulating different sedimentation scenarios. Settled spores and developing gametophytes were quantified at the completion of each experiment. We noted that spore settlement was affected by sediment loads but found absolute quantification difficult because of the naturally slow development of the gametophytes. We are continuing to assess the longer-term effects of sediment loading on the microscopic stages of kelp sporelings. Through this research, we aim to better understand how increased sedimentation due to climate change and potential new oil and gas development near well-studied Arctic kelp beds will affect L. solidungula recruitment and, thus, the long-term persistence of a diverse and productive benthic habitat.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 145
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