Abstract

Ecological impacts associated with ocean warming and marine heatwaves have been extensively reported recently, as shifts in species distribution, changes in structures of communities and local extinctions, alien species spreading as well as economic impacts on seafood industries. Marine heatwaves, particularly, exert major negative impacts on seaweed (macroalgae) communities and their ecological functions and services. The most widespread impact in macroalgae biodiversity is the decrease of kelp and fucoid communities and associate organisms in almost the whole world. However, the changes in the macroalgae distribution and structure in coastal ecosystems are probably the most concerning impact which have not yet been widely studied in these highly biodiverse ecosystems.

Keywords: Algae; Coastal and marine ecosystems; Ocean warming; Extreme temperature events