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Effects of kelp forests on flow and water column subsidies


Aerial photo of the Mohawk kelp forest off the coast of Santa Barbara, one of our field sites. Photo courtesy of B. Mardian.
Canopy-forming kelps create some of the most important biogenic habitats found on rocky coasts along many of the world's temperate shores.  However, the relationship of these critical species to their fluid surroundings is only beginning to be understood.  Together with colleagues, we are examining how kelp forests alter flows that enter and pass around their boundaries.  Ultimately, we aim to determine rates of within-bed delivery, consumption, and production of a variety of nearshore waterborne subsidies (e.g., nitrate and nitrite, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, phytoplankton).  A number of these subsidies are of general ecosystem interest and support organisms that span multiple trophic levels.

Canopy of the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera

Selected publications:

Gaylord, B., M.W. Denny, and M.A.R. Koehl.  2003.  Modulation of wave forces on kelp canopies by alongshore currents.  Limnology and Oceanography 48: 860-871.

Gaylord, B., D.C. Reed, L. Washburn, and P.T. Raimondi.  2004.  Physical-biological coupling in spore dispersal of kelp forest macroalgae.  J. Mar. Sys. 49: 19-39.

Gaylord, B., J. Rosman, D.C. Reed, J.R. Koseff, J. Fram, S. MacIntyre, K. Arkema, C. McDonald, M.A. Brzezinski, J.L. Largier, S.G. Monismith, P.T. Raimondi, and B. Mardian.  2007.  Spatial patterns of flow and their modification within and around a giant kelp forest.  Limnology and Oceanography 52: 1838-1852.

Fram, J.P., H.L. Stewart, M.A. Brzezinski, B. Gaylord, D.C. Reed, S.L. Williams, and S. MacIntyre.  2008.  Physical pathways and utilization of nitrate supply to the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera.  Limnology and Oceanography, in press.

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