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Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient / MARTYNA ZAWADZKA

Swansea University Author: MARTYNA ZAWADZKA

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Abstract

Large brown macroalgal species are highly plastic primary producers that shape the intertidal zones of temperate regions. Their plasticity enables them to display a range of morphological traits, including variations in total length, blade thickness, and structural complexity, in response to environ...

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Published: Swansea University, Wales, UK 2025
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Master of Research
Degree name: MRes
Supervisor: Griffin, J., and Pimiento, C.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69938
first_indexed 2025-07-10T11:56:30Z
last_indexed 2025-07-11T05:02:55Z
id cronfa69938
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2025-07-10T13:06:40.7170514 v2 69938 2025-07-10 Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient a3c2d5330f875f4d2f1ce53f0095f8c8 MARTYNA ZAWADZKA MARTYNA ZAWADZKA true false 2025-07-10 Large brown macroalgal species are highly plastic primary producers that shape the intertidal zones of temperate regions. Their plasticity enables them to display a range of morphological traits, including variations in total length, blade thickness, and structural complexity, in response to environmental factors. Using a trait-based approach allows us to examine the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on macroalgae, offering insights into the functioning of these ecosystems. Most current studies on macroalgal traits have primarily concentrated on a limited geographical range characterized by variable environmental factors such as temperature and salinity. In this study, the variation in traits of foundation macroalgae is examined across a 20-degree latitudinal gradient, extending from Portugal, through the central region of Wales, to the cooler range in Scotland. In response to the harsher climate and increased desiccation stress in southern regions, individuals were expected to exhibit reduced size and thicker blades.Similarly, increased temperatures in the south which are known to enhance metabolic rates, were expected to increase photosynthetic performance. In each region, morphological traits of individuals sampled from two shores were collected, and their photosynthetic parameters were measured in a mesocosm study – a controlled experiment assessing photosynthetic parameters.The size, as well as blade and stipe thickness, decreased towards the south. Although a decrease in blade thickness at lower latitudes was unexpected, the study found that the more acquisitive strategy of the southern population was reflected in its blade morphology. Photosynthetic performance was higher in Wales and Portugal than in Scotland, suggesting greater photosynthetic capacity of populations inhabiting lower latitudes. In contrast to our expectations, findings indicated that Wales, rather than the southernmost location (Portugal)was characterised by individuals exhibiting the highest photosynthetic performance and the most pronounced influence of morphological traits on the rate of photosynthesis. This observation may be attributed to the mid-range morphological traits of individuals compared to other populations, resulting from the region's temperate climate. E-Thesis Swansea University, Wales, UK functional traits, macroalgae, Fucus serratus, latitudinal variation, photosynthesis, specific thallus area 9 4 2025 2025-04-09 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Griffin, J., and Pimiento, C. Master of Research MRes 2025-07-10T13:06:40.7170514 2025-07-10T12:22:33.5287567 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences MARTYNA ZAWADZKA 1 69938__34729__69c94d7b9694460981272459b1676efe.pdf 2024_Zawadzka_M.final.69938.pdf 2025-07-10T12:55:52.9792413 Output 4100237 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The author, Martyna Zawadzka, 2024 true eng
title Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient
spellingShingle Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient
MARTYNA ZAWADZKA
title_short Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient
title_full Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient
title_fullStr Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient
title_full_unstemmed Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient
title_sort Variation in the Morphological and Physiological Traits of a Foundational Macroalga along a 20-Degree Latitudinal Gradient
author_id_str_mv a3c2d5330f875f4d2f1ce53f0095f8c8
author_id_fullname_str_mv a3c2d5330f875f4d2f1ce53f0095f8c8_***_MARTYNA ZAWADZKA
author MARTYNA ZAWADZKA
author2 MARTYNA ZAWADZKA
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences
document_store_str 1
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description Large brown macroalgal species are highly plastic primary producers that shape the intertidal zones of temperate regions. Their plasticity enables them to display a range of morphological traits, including variations in total length, blade thickness, and structural complexity, in response to environmental factors. Using a trait-based approach allows us to examine the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on macroalgae, offering insights into the functioning of these ecosystems. Most current studies on macroalgal traits have primarily concentrated on a limited geographical range characterized by variable environmental factors such as temperature and salinity. In this study, the variation in traits of foundation macroalgae is examined across a 20-degree latitudinal gradient, extending from Portugal, through the central region of Wales, to the cooler range in Scotland. In response to the harsher climate and increased desiccation stress in southern regions, individuals were expected to exhibit reduced size and thicker blades.Similarly, increased temperatures in the south which are known to enhance metabolic rates, were expected to increase photosynthetic performance. In each region, morphological traits of individuals sampled from two shores were collected, and their photosynthetic parameters were measured in a mesocosm study – a controlled experiment assessing photosynthetic parameters.The size, as well as blade and stipe thickness, decreased towards the south. Although a decrease in blade thickness at lower latitudes was unexpected, the study found that the more acquisitive strategy of the southern population was reflected in its blade morphology. Photosynthetic performance was higher in Wales and Portugal than in Scotland, suggesting greater photosynthetic capacity of populations inhabiting lower latitudes. In contrast to our expectations, findings indicated that Wales, rather than the southernmost location (Portugal)was characterised by individuals exhibiting the highest photosynthetic performance and the most pronounced influence of morphological traits on the rate of photosynthesis. This observation may be attributed to the mid-range morphological traits of individuals compared to other populations, resulting from the region's temperate climate.
published_date 2025-04-09T06:48:19Z
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score 11.090362

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