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Individual-based numerical experiment to describe the distribution of floating kelp within the Southern Benguela Upwelling System

  • Ross Coppin

    Dr Ross Coppin is a marine ecologist specializing in kelp forest ecology. He earned his PhD from the University of the Western Cape, where he pioneered a novel Lagrangian trajectory modelling approach to study macroalgae distribution. Ross’s work focuses on the role of the abiotic environment in ecosystem functioning. His work encompasses research, data analysis, sustainability, environmental impact assessments, and public participation processes for various organizations and research institutions.

     ORCID logo EMAIL logo     , Christo Rautenbach

    Dr Christo Rautenbach is a distinguished double PhD holder, excelling in Applied Mathematics and Physical Oceanography. With an extensive background in numerical modelling spanning over a decade, he is an expert in coastal and ocean hydro- and wave dynamics. His expertise encompasses operational physical oceanography, coastal engineering, and coastal dynamics research. As a seasoned project manager and team leader, he spearheads applied research initiatives, integrating data science and artificial intelligence methodologies.

     ORCID logo     and Albertus J. Smit

    Professor Albertus J. Smit, a marine scientist, applies innovative statistical methods to vast environmental and biological datasets. His critical perspective drives research into pressing ecological and environmental issues crucial for human well-being. Aligned with national strategies, his work spans global change, marine research, and biodiversity, supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Proficient in diverse hardware, computing, and software tools, his expertise focuses on oceanic climate change. With a string of impactful publications and successful grant acquisitions, Smit’s leadership ensures program completion and fosters inclusive, transdisciplinary collaborations for actionable research outcomes.

     ORCID logo
Published/Copyright: September 3, 2024
Botanica Marina
From the journal Botanica Marina Volume 67 Issue 5

Abstract

Kelps are resilient organisms, capable of thriving in high-energy wave environments. However, when hydrodynamic drag forces exerted by the wave environment exceed the kelps’ structural limits, individuals become dislodged. Floating kelps generally follow ocean currents, traveling long distances until air-filled structures fail or the epibiont load becomes too great, causing them to sink to the seafloor. The ability of kelp to disperse over vast offshore and nearshore systems makes them important for organic subsidy and as a dispersal vector for marine organisms. Previous research on dislodged macroalgae focused on context-specific rafts, limiting insights into the broader ecological role of floating kelp. This study employed a site-specific Lagrangian trajectory model to describe the spatial distribution of floating Ecklonia maxima along the South African coastline. The model incorporated buoyancy and sinking using site-specific morphological data. Findings revealed that the distribution of floating E. maxima is influenced by oceanographic conditions, and seasonal patterns were also evident. Mesoscale features played a vital role in kelp accumulation on the surface and seafloor and acted as barriers to dispersal. This study offers essential insights into kelp’s role as an organic subsidy and provides numerical evidence for kelp’s potential as a carbon sink, contributing to a better understanding of kelp ecosystems and their ecological functions.

Keywords: kelp; organic subsidy; buoyancy; sinking; mesoscale
Corresponding author: Ross Coppin, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa, E-mail:

Funding source: South African National Research Foundation

Award Identifier / Grant number: CSRP170430229220

About the authors

Ross Coppin

Dr Ross Coppin is a marine ecologist specializing in kelp forest ecology. He earned his PhD from the University of the Western Cape, where he pioneered a novel Lagrangian trajectory modelling approach to study macroalgae distribution. Ross’s work focuses on the role of the abiotic environment in ecosystem functioning. His work encompasses research, data analysis, sustainability, environmental impact assessments, and public participation processes for various organizations and research institutions.

Christo Rautenbach

Dr Christo Rautenbach is a distinguished double PhD holder, excelling in Applied Mathematics and Physical Oceanography. With an extensive background in numerical modelling spanning over a decade, he is an expert in coastal and ocean hydro- and wave dynamics. His expertise encompasses operational physical oceanography, coastal engineering, and coastal dynamics research. As a seasoned project manager and team leader, he spearheads applied research initiatives, integrating data science and artificial intelligence methodologies.

Albertus J. Smit

Professor Albertus J. Smit, a marine scientist, applies innovative statistical methods to vast environmental and biological datasets. His critical perspective drives research into pressing ecological and environmental issues crucial for human well-being. Aligned with national strategies, his work spans global change, marine research, and biodiversity, supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Proficient in diverse hardware, computing, and software tools, his expertise focuses on oceanic climate change. With a string of impactful publications and successful grant acquisitions, Smit’s leadership ensures program completion and fosters inclusive, transdisciplinary collaborations for actionable research outcomes.

Acknowledgments

This paper would not have been possible without the OceanParcels open-source software (available from: https://oceanparcels.org/). This study also uses ocean and wind model data from Copernicus Marine Data Store. The products used in this study have been updated/changed and therefore do no longer exist. However, the data sets used in this study can be provided upon request from the author.

  1. Research ethics: The processes and procedures are undertaken over the duration of this study abided by national laws and permit conditions.

  2. Author contributions: Ross Coppin conceptualised the scope of the research reported in this manuscript, designed the model, conducted the simulations, undertook the numerical and statistical analyses, made the first round of interpretation, and did the writing. AJ Smit and Christo Rautenbach provided guidance in writing, statistical analyses, and overall presentation of the manuscript. The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  3. Competing interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

  4. Research funding: This research was funded by the South African National Research Foundation (http://www.nrf.ac.za). The funding number is CSRP170430229220. Aside from the funding provided, the funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, publication decision, or manuscript preparation.

  5. Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

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Supplementary Material

This article contains supplementary material (https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2023-0061).

Received: 2023-08-04
Accepted: 2024-06-19
Published Online: 2024-09-03
Published in Print: 2024-10-28

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. In this issue
  3. Editorial
  4. Kelp ecology, applications and potential for aquaculture in Southern Africa
  5. Kelp Forest Review and Management
  6. The African seaforest: a review
  7. Embracing diversity: enhancing the management of South Africa’s kelp forests in an era of change
  8. Modelling in Kelp Ecology
  9. Numerical experiments investigating the influence of drag on trajectory patterns of floating macroalgae
  10. Individual-based numerical experiment to describe the distribution of floating kelp within the Southern Benguela Upwelling System
  11. Kelp Products and Their Uses
  12. Chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of alginate: a review
  13. Extraction and characterisation of sodium alginate from the Southern African seaweed Ecklonia maxima
  14. Potential for Kelp Aquaculture
  15. The potential for kelp (order Laminariales) aquaculture in South Africa: a biological review
  16. Considerations for kelp aquaculture on South Africa’s west coast: geospatial analysis and research implications
https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2023-0061
Keywords for this article
kelp; organic subsidy; buoyancy; sinking; mesoscale

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. In this issue
  3. Editorial
  4. Kelp ecology, applications and potential for aquaculture in Southern Africa
  5. Kelp Forest Review and Management
  6. The African seaforest: a review
  7. Embracing diversity: enhancing the management of South Africa’s kelp forests in an era of change
  8. Modelling in Kelp Ecology
  9. Numerical experiments investigating the influence of drag on trajectory patterns of floating macroalgae
  10. Individual-based numerical experiment to describe the distribution of floating kelp within the Southern Benguela Upwelling System
  11. Kelp Products and Their Uses
  12. Chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of alginate: a review
  13. Extraction and characterisation of sodium alginate from the Southern African seaweed Ecklonia maxima
  14. Potential for Kelp Aquaculture
  15. The potential for kelp (order Laminariales) aquaculture in South Africa: a biological review
  16. Considerations for kelp aquaculture on South Africa’s west coast: geospatial analysis and research implications
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