Regional publication - floating canopy kelp distribution
New regional publication looking at recent changes in floating canopy kelp distributions along the coast of BC, considering data from 1994 to 2007 compared to 2017 to 2021 across 11 subregions. Results indicate significant declines in some areas, with variability across BC, including negative correlations between kelp persistence and warm sea temperatures in southern BC, while northern subregions show declines despite cooler temperatures, potentially due to sea urchin and otter dynamics. Once again showing how much local and region dynamics are influencing kelp responses to environmental change.
Starko S, Timmer B, Reshitnyk L, Csordas M, McHenry J, Schroeder S, Hessing-Lewis M, Costa M, Zielinksi A, Zielinksi R, Cook S, Underhill R, Boyer L, Fretwell C, Yakimishyn J, Heath W, Gruman C, Baum J, Neufeld C. MEPS (2024). Local and regional variation in kelp loss and stability across coastal British Columbia. (https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14548)
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