• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2015

To examine the effects of increased $CO_2$ concentration and seawater temperature on the photosynthesis and growth of forest forming Ecklonia cava (Laminariales, Phaeophyta), sporophytic discs and gametophytes were cultured under three $pCO_2$ concentrations (380, 750, 1000 ppm), four temperatures (5, 10, 15, $20^{\circ}C$ for sporophytes; 10, 15, 20, $25^{\circ}C$ for gametophytes), and two irradiance levels (40, $80{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$) for 5 days. Photosynthetic parameter values ($ETR_{max}$, $E_k$, and ${\alpha}$) were generally higher as sporophytic discs were grown under low temperature and increased $CO_2$ concentration at 750 ppm. However, photosynthesis of Ecklonia sporophytes was severely inhibited under a combination of high temperature ($20^{\circ}C$) and 1000 ppm $CO_2$ concentration at the two photon irradiance levels. The growth of gametophytes was maximal at the combination of 380 ppm (present seawater $CO_2$ concentration) and $25^{\circ}C$. Minimal growth of gametophytes occurred at enriched $pCO_2$ concentration levels (750, 1000 ppm) and high temperature of $25^{\circ}C$. The present results imply that climate change which is increasing seawater temperature and $pCO_2$ concentration might diminish Ecklonia cava kelp beds because of a reduction in recruitments caused by the growth inhibition of gametophytes at high $pCO_2$ concentration. In addition, the effects of increased temperature and $pCO_2$ concentration were different between generations - revealing an enhancement in the photosynthesis of sporophytes and a reduction in the growth of gametophytes.