http://www.authorstream.com/presentation/farawela-189952-kelp-forest-anatomy-adaptation-type-distrubution-education-ppt-powerpoint/

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Feryal Jamal KherissatFeryal Jamal Kherissat

KELP KELP FORESTFOREST

I know few things more I know few things more surprising than to see this surprising than to see this

plant growing and plant growing and flourishing amidst those flourishing amidst those breakers of the western breakers of the western

ocean, which no mass of ocean, which no mass of rock, let it be ever so hard, rock, let it be ever so hard,

can long resistcan long resist..

Charles Darwin (1860)Charles Darwin (1860)

Kelp AnatomyKelp Anatomy

Blade -Blade - leaf-like : photosynthesis.

Stipe -Stipe - stem-like structure. Pneumatocyst -Pneumatocyst - Float - air filled

bladder @ base of each blade keeps plant at surface for photosynthesis.

  Holdfast - Holdfast - . Anchor, not root.

Adaptations of KelpAdaptations of Kelp

A strong holdfast anchors the kelp to the substrate.

A flexible blade moves with the motion of the waves.

Growth occurs between the stipe and the blade instead of at the blade tip, where erosion happens.

A hollow stipe offers some buoyancy to the kelp structure.

Uh oh…quick biology review

Alternation of Generationssporophyte – makes spores

gametophyte – makes gametes

Life cycle of a typical kelp Life cycle of a typical kelp Laminaria spLaminaria sp

Kelp that has been ripped off it's moorings will sometime gather into what is known as drift kelp.

This kelp floats and drifts with the currents. This living kelp can, under the right conditions, re-anchor itself in a new area.

The Geographic Distribution Of Kelp Forests.The Geographic Distribution Of Kelp Forests.

DISTRUBUTIONDISTRUBUTION

Extent of kelp beds depend Extent of kelp beds depend on:on:

Hard substrate must be available for attachment.

Light.

Cold temperature (absent in warm temperature and tropical area).

Nutrients (Kelps limited by low nutrients).

The Geographic Distribution Of The Geographic Distribution Of Kelp ForestsKelp Forests

Ecosystem ArchitectureEcosystem Architecture4-Midwater and Surface-canopy kelps include the

largest species and often constitute floating canopies that extend to the ocean surface (Macrocystis, Nereocysitis).

3-Understory-canopy kelps: A) lie near and along the sea floor (Laminaria). B) Extend a few meters above the sea floor and can grow in dense aggregations (Eisenia).

2-Bottom-canopy plants (Gelidium, plocamium).

1-The benthic assemblage is composed of other algal species, sessile organisms along the ocean bottom, and encrusting coralline algae .

Gelidium

Eisenia arborea

Kelp ProductivityKelp Productivity

Among the fastest growing plants in the world in either marine or terrestrial habitats. Maximum elongation rates in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyriferaare on the order of 12 -18 inches per day.

Kelp forests are among the most productive communities in the world. Estimates of productivity comparable to tropical rain forests.

Only about 5-10 % of the primary production is consumed by grazers in either terrestrial or kelp forests.

In terrestrial forests most of the biomass accumulate on the ground and persists as litter on the forest floor.

There is small accumulation of kelp litter because kelps continually sluff organic material which ultimately enters the near shore food web.

""The numbers of living creatures of all Orders whose The numbers of living creatures of all Orders whose existence intimately depends on kelp is wonderful… I existence intimately depends on kelp is wonderful… I can only compare these great aquatic forests with the can only compare these great aquatic forests with the terrestrial ones in the inter tropical regions." Yet if in terrestrial ones in the inter tropical regions." Yet if in

any country a forest was destroyed, I do not believe any country a forest was destroyed, I do not believe nearly so many species of animals would perish as nearly so many species of animals would perish as

would here from the destruction of kelp.“would here from the destruction of kelp.“

Charles Darwin (1860) Charles Darwin (1860) The Voyage of the BeagleThe Voyage of the Beagle

Kelp As NurseriesKelp As Nurseries

1. Blades break waves/currents (rock lobsters, abalone, snapper and wrasse).

2. Shade allows growth of delicate algae provide food for a range of grazing animals ( snails).

3. Hiding spaces between plants offers protection for non-moving animals (sponges , sea squirts).

4. Blades and stipes = anchoring point for small algae which in turn can be eaten by grazing animals.

Kelp Vs. HerbivoresKelp Vs. Herbivores

Urchins

SnailsSnails

Kelp Forest Food WebsKelp Forest Food Webs

Sea Otters are at the top of the kelp forest food chain

No sea otters—sea urchins take the top spot

Habitat IssueHabitat Issue

Mechanical forces (storm).

Overgrazing.

Global warming.

Marine pollution &water quality.

Invasion species.

Kelp harvesting &fisheries.

ThreatsThreats

Ripped by storms

LAND TUMBLE

BEACH continue

food for to live

herbivores/

detritivores

Mechanical forces (storm)

Marine pollution and water quality

Die from SewageFertilizersSuspended sediment

(dredging/ erosionphytoplankton)

This caused by dense plankton blooms, lasting for over six weeks, with visibility less than 4m. The next year, a similar disaster happened, and it took six years before the kelp forest had a closed canopy again.

Murky water causes untimely kelp death, the ones lower down being starved of light first. This kelp forest is symptomatic of habitat degradation.

Invasion species

The arrival of species from other countries:

grow faster

out compete for space on rocky reefs.

Underlie pinnatifida

wakame

Kelp Harvesting And Kelp Harvesting And FisheriesFisheries

food for other species

food for humans toothpatse/antacid