Cristina Piñeiro-Corbeira1, Karen Filbee-Dexter2,3, Johanna Zimmerhackel2,4, Kjell Magnus Norderhaug3, Rodolfo Barreiro1, Thomas Wernberg2,3
1University of A Coruña, Spain - 2School of Biological Sciences and UWA Oceans Institute, Australia - 3Institute of marine research, Norway - 4Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy, Australia
Kelp forests are key habitats in Arctic and temperate regions, supporting biodiversity and providing multiple ecosystem services essential for human well-being. Quantifying species’ dependency on specific habitats is essential for various fields of knowledge. This information offers insights into ecosystem functioning and natural resource value, aiding in identifying key areas for protection, predicting species’ vulnerability to changes, and informing ecosystem services valuation. However, quantifying habitat dependency remains a complex challenge. In this study, we employed the Habitat Dependency Index (HDI) to assess the reliance on kelp forests of 440 globally distributed species commonly associated with these key habitats. Species were selected based on their provision of diverse ecosystem services, including commercial fisheries, charismatic species, IUCN-listed species, and endemic species. We estimated the HDI using three different approaches, each offering a different perspective on habitat dependency, allowing researchers to choose the most appropriate method based on their specific research questions and the ecological context of the species being studied. Our results revealed that most species exhibit low (50.46%) to moderate (45.14%) dependency on kelp forests, while the rest demonstrate high (3.94%) or complete dependency (0.46%). This detailed understanding of habitat reliance provides valuable insights into the ecological importance of kelp forests and their role in supporting marine biodiversity for human well-being. We explore the implications of these findings for biodiversity management, ecosystem services valuation, and conservation strategies. By quantifying the dependence of a large number of species on kelp forests, our study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of these ecosystems’ significance and offers robust information for future research on the management and conservation of this key ecosystems.
Biography
Cristina Piñeiro-Corbeira is a marine biologist and researcher at the University of A Coruña, specializing in macroalgae communities and their ecological dynamics. She focuses on understanding marine ecosystem responses to environmental changes. Piñeiro-Corbeira’s research often combines ecological studies with environmental management and conservation strategies, providing critical insights into marine ecosystem conservation and climate change adaptation strategies.