Physiological response to irradiance, temperature and co-cultivation in Antarctic engineering brown algae (Desmarestia menziesii and D. anceps)

The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a hot spot of global warming, including decreased sea-ice cover during winter and increased sedimentation during summer due to glacial melt. Subsequently, an altered irradiance and temperature regime in the water column may affect the performance of primary producers and change competitive structures. The brown, subtidal macroalgae Desmarestia menziesii and D. anceps are ecosystem engineers and of extreme...