The structure, function and resilience of Laminaria hyperborea forests along the northern North Sea coast of the United KingdomReef-associated Biodiversity

Pippa Moore¹, Harry Catherall^1,2, Hannah Earp^1,3, Ethan Clarke¹, Jack Duffy¹, Robyn Mastin-Wynne¹, Dan Smale⁴, Heather Sugden¹

¹ Newcastle University, UK - ²Hull University, UK - ³Institute of Marine Research - ⁴Marine Biological Association, UK

The important role that kelp forests play in supporting elevated levels of diversity as well providing a wealth of ecosystem system services is well understood, but there are still areas within well studied regions where there is limited knowledge on the structure and function of kelp forests. One of these areas is the North Sea coastline of the United Kingdom which to the south is characterised by turbid, soft-sediment habitat providing poor habitat for kelp forests, but to the north is made up of a mix of sandy bays and bedrock reefs that support extensive populations of kelp. In this presentation I will outline 5-years of research undertaken to address knowledge gaps in this area. Our research has shown that western North Sea coastlines support population sizes and biomasses similar the maximums found in Europe, support assemblages similar to those observed elsewhere in this species distributional range and are, on the whole, resilient to one in fifty year storm events. Our research has also shown that along a coastline in which kelp would have all but disappeared, as a consequence of mine waste disposal, that natural recovery to background conditions is possible once the direct threat is removed. Overall our research demonstrates that the kelp forests of the western North Sea are extensive, productive and resilient to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.