2025-05-22 カリフォルニア大学リバーサイド校(UCR)
<関連情報>
- https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2025/05/22/chemical-warfare-seafloor
- https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt6788
芝生藻は温帯サンゴ礁の化学的景観を再定義し、ケルプ林の回復を制限している Turf algae redefine the chemical landscape of temperate reefs, limiting kelp forest recovery
Shane P. Farrell, Daniel Petras, Paolo Stincone, Dara S. Yiu, […] , and Douglas B. Rasher
Science Published:22 May 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adt6788
Editor’s summary
Kelp creates dense underwater forests in coastal temperate waters, providing habitat for numerous ecologically and economically important animals. Recently, kelp forests in warming waters have been replaced by qualitatively different beds of red algae. “Turf algae” appear to prevent kelp recovery, creating an alternative stable state. Farrell et al. combined metabolomics and laboratory experiments to show that turf algae in the Gulf of Maine in the US release allelopathic chemicals that inhibit kelp recruitment (see the Perspective by Feehan and Filbee-Dexter). This study demonstrated that chemically mediated species interactions play an important role in temperate reefs, much as in terrestrial systems and tropical reefs, and that regional interventions and curbing climate change may be necessary to facilitate kelp forest recovery. —Bianca Lopez
Abstract
In temperate regions experiencing rapid ocean warming, kelp forests are being replaced by chemically rich turf algae. However, the extent to which these turf algae alter the surrounding chemical environment or affect the rebound potential of kelp forests (through chemically mediated interactions) remains unknown. Here, we used underwater visual surveys, comprehensive chemical profiling, and laboratory experiments to reveal that turf algae release bioactive compounds into the water that fundamentally alter the reef “chemical landscape” and directly suppress kelp recruitment. Therefore, our study reveals that chemical ecology is critical in shaping modern kelp forest ecosystems and their resilience. Further, it demonstrates that reversing climate-driven state shifts will require not only curbing global carbon emissions but also implementing targeted local interventions that break harmful ecological feedback loops and foster recovery.
