Investigating waves and temperature as drivers of Kelp morphology

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Date
2020Author
Coppin, Ross
Rautenbach, Christo
Ponton, Timothy John
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Macroalgal morphological variation is determined to a large extent by a combination
of environmental factors, with wave exposure and temperature perhaps the main
influences, as they are key environmental properties to which a species becomes locally
adapted. Macroalgae have shown to exhibit different responses to different magnitudes
of exposure to waves, such as reduction in overall size and strength increasing traits. In
terms of temperature, warmer environments have been shown to reduce the overall
size of resident and transplanted species.