A review of sub tidal kelp forests in Ireland: from first descriptions
to new habitat monitoring techniques
Abstract
Aim Kelp forests worldwide are important marine ecosystems that foster
high primary to secondary productivity and multiple ecosystem services.
These ecosystems are increasingly under threat from extreme storms,
changing ocean temperatures, harvesting, and greater herbivore pressure
at regional and global scales, necessitating urgent documentation of
their historical to present day distributions. Species range shifts to
higher latitudes have already been documented in some species that
dominate subtidal habitats within Europe. Very little is known about
kelp forest ecosystems in Ireland, where rocky coastlines are dominated
by Laminaria hyperborea. In order to rectify this substantial
knowledge gap, we compiled historical records from an array of sources
to present historical distribution, kelp and kelp forest recording
effort over time, and present rational for the monitoring of kelp
habitats to better understand ecosystem resilience. Location Ireland
(Northern Ireland and Éire). Methods Herbaria, literature from the
Linnaean society dating back to late 1700s, journal articles, government
reports, and online databases were scoured for information on L.
hyperborea. Information about kelp ecosystems was solicited from dive
clubs and citizen science groups that are active along Ireland’s
coastlines. Results Data were used to create distribution maps, analyse
methodology and technology used to record L. hyperborea presence
and kelp ecosystems within Ireland. We discuss the recent surge in
studies on Irish kelp ecosystems and fauna associated with kelp
ecosystems that may be used as indicators of ecosystem health and
suggest methodologies for continued monitoring. Main Conclusions While
there has been a steady increase in recording effort of the dominant
subtidal kelp forest species, L. hyperborea, only recently have
studies begun to address other important eco-evolutionary processes at
work in kelp forests including connectivity among kelp populations in
Ireland. Further monitoring, using suggested methodologies, is required
to better understand the resilience of kelp ecosystems in Ireland.