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Climate change transforms the functional identity of Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages
Author(s) -
GómezGras Daniel,
Linares Cristina,
Dornelas Maria,
Madin Joshua S.,
Brambilla Viviana,
Ledoux JeanBaptiste,
LópezSendino Paula,
Bensoussan Nathaniel,
Garrabou Joaquim
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.13718
Subject(s) - ecology , species richness , ecosystem , habitat , biology , disturbance (geology) , trait , community structure , functional ecology , range (aeronautics) , taxon , geography , paleontology , materials science , computer science , composite material , programming language
Quantifying changes in functional community structure driven by disturbance is critical to anticipate potential shifts in ecosystem functioning. However, how marine heatwaves (MHWs) affect the functional structure of temperate coral‐dominated communities is poorly understood. Here, we used five long‐term (> 10 years) records of Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages in a multi‐taxa, trait‐based analysis to investigate MHW‐driven changes in functional structure. We show that, despite stability in functional richness (i.e. the range of species functional traits), MHW‐impacted assemblages experienced long‐term directional changes in functional identity (i.e. their dominant trait values). Declining traits included large sizes, long lifespans, arborescent morphologies, filter‐feeding strategies or calcified skeletons. These traits, which were mostly supported by few sensitive and irreplaceable species from a single functional group (habitat‐forming octocorals), disproportionally influence certain ecosystem functions (e.g. 3D‐habitat provision). Hence, MHWs are leading to assemblages that are deficient in key functional traits, with likely consequences for the ecosystem functioning.