Genomic vulnerability of a dominant seaweed points to future-proofing pathways for Australia's underwater forests

Georgina Wood; Ezequiel Marzinelli; Alexandra Campbell; Peter D Steinberg; Adriana Vergés; Melinda Coleman

doi:10.1111/gcb.15534

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Genomic vulnerability of a dominant seaweed points to future-proofing pathways for Australia's underwater forests

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Genomic vulnerability of a dominant seaweed points to future-proofing pathways for Australia's underwater forests

Georgina Wood, Ezequiel Marzinelli, Alexandra Campbell, Peter D Steinberg, Adriana Vergés and Melinda Coleman

Global Change Biology, Vol.27(10), pp.2200-2212

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15534

PMID: 33511779

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Abstract

assisted evolution

future-proofing

GDM

genetic diversity

kelp

marine ecology

restoration

seascapes genomics

seaweed

SNP

Globally, critical habitats are in decline, threatening ecological, economic and social values and prompting calls for "future proofing" efforts that enhance resilience to climate change. Such efforts rely on predicting how neutral and adaptive genomic patterns across a species' distribution will change under future climate scenarios, but data is scant for most species of conservation concern. Here, we use seascape genomics to characterize genetic diversity, structure and gene-environmental associations in a dominant forest-forming seaweed, Phyllospora comosa, along its entire latitudinal (12° latitude), and thermal (~14°C) range. Phyllospora showed high connectivity throughout its central range, with evidence of genetic structure and potential selection associated with sea surface temperatures at its rear and leading edges. Rear and leading-edge populations harboured only half the genetic diversity of central populations. By modelling genetic turnover as a function of sea surface temperature, we assessed the genomic vulnerability across Phyllospora's distributional range under climate change scenarios. Despite low diversity, range-edge populations were predicted to harbour beneficial adaptations to marginal conditions and overall adaptability of the species may be compromised by their loss. Assisted gene flow from range edge populations may be required to enhance adaptation and increase resilience of central and leading-edge populations under warming oceans. Understanding genomic vulnerability can inform proactive restoration and future-proofing strategies for underwater forests and ensure their persistence in changing oceans.

Details

Title: Genomic vulnerability of a dominant seaweed points to future-proofing pathways for Australia's underwater forests
Authors: Georgina Wood (Corresponding Author) - The University of Sydney
Ezequiel Marzinelli (Author) - The University of Sydney
Alexandra Campbell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Peter D Steinberg (Author) - UNSW Sydney
Adriana Vergés (Author) - UNSW Sydney
Melinda Coleman (Author) - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Publication details: Global Change Biology, Vol.27(10), pp.2200-2212
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15534
ISSN: 1365-2486
PMID: 33511779
Grants: Global threats to kelp forests from heatwaves, herbivores and diseases, DP170100023, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
The effect of microbial diversity vs function on marine holobionts, DP180104041, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Restoration of Sydney's key habitat forming seaweed forests, LP160100836, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99506307002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Sciences

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