Predicting potential Arctic kelp distribution and lower‐depth biomass from seafloor irradiance

Abstract Kelps have an extensive distribution in Arctic coastal waters. However, quantifying their role in the Arctic food web and carbon cycle is challenged by the scarcity of documented geographical distribution, standing stocks and production. Here we present a framework based on an empirical function to predict the potential kelp distribution and their summer biomass as a function of seafloor irradiance and bathymetry. Predictions of biomass were limited to the lower‐depth, light‐limited range of the kelp distribution, where the fit of the empirical function was significant (from the depth of maximum biomass to the deepest kelp extent). The model was developed and tested in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, and applied in six additional fjords in the Arctic. The predicted potential kelp biomass in the fjords ranged from 0.6 to 4.7 kg WW m −2 and was in good agreement with published values. The resulting kelp standing stock ranged from 0.4 to 300 Gg DW, corresponding to 0.2–109 Gg C. These potential estimates account for light limitation, but do not consider substrata or other factors limiting the kelp distribution area. We identified fjord‐specific dependencies between predicted standing stocks and seafloor irradiance and between seafloor irradiance and its drivers (surface irradiance and water column light attenuation) but found no significant change between 2004 and 2022. Our framework provides a baseline for estimating potential kelp biomass from seafloor irradiance, which is expected to change with increasing sediment runoff causing coastal darkening.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Limnology and Oceanography Methods
Published
2025-12-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.70018
Primary Topic
Marine and coastal plant biology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Predicting potential Arctic kelp distribution and lower‐depth biomass from seafloor irradiance

Pedro Duarte, Karen Filbee‐Dexter, C. A. Miller, Inka Bartsch et al.
Limnology and Oceanography Methods
Marine and coastal plant biology
article

Predicting potential Arctic kelp distribution and lower‐depth biomass from seafloor irradiance

Pedro Duarte, Karen Filbee‐Dexter, C. A. Miller, Inka Bartsch, Laura Castro de la Guardia, Sarina Niedzwiedz, Robert W. Schlegel, Mikael K. Sejr, Haakon Hop, Nora Diehl, Jean‐Pierre Gattuso, Dorte Krause‐Jensen, Luisa Düsedau, Thomas Gjerfluff Ager
article en

Abstract

Abstract Kelps have an extensive distribution in Arctic coastal waters. However, quantifying their role in the Arctic food web and carbon cycle is challenged by the scarcity of documented geographical distribution, standing stocks and production. Here we present a framework based on an empirical function to predict the potential kelp distribution and their summer biomass as a function of seafloor irradiance and bathymetry. Predictions of biomass were limited to the lower‐depth, light‐limited range of the kelp distribution, where the fit of the empirical function was significant (from the depth of maximum biomass to the deepest kelp extent). The model was developed and tested in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, and applied in six additional fjords in the Arctic. The predicted potential kelp biomass in the fjords ranged from 0.6 to 4.7 kg WW m −2 and was in good agreement with published values. The resulting kelp standing stock ranged from 0.4 to 300 Gg DW, corresponding to 0.2–109 Gg C. These potential estimates account for light limitation, but do not consider substrata or other factors limiting the kelp distribution area. We identified fjord‐specific dependencies between predicted standing stocks and seafloor irradiance and between seafloor irradiance and its drivers (surface irradiance and water column light attenuation) but found no significant change between 2004 and 2022. Our framework provides a baseline for estimating potential kelp biomass from seafloor irradiance, which is expected to change with increasing sediment runoff causing coastal darkening.

Limnology and Oceanography MethodsVol. 24(3)
Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (DE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), The University of Western Australia (AU), University of Bremen (DE), Utrecht University (NL), Aarhus University (DK), Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (FR), Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (NO), Sorbonne Université (FR), Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales (FR), Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche (FR), University of the Highlands and Islands (GB), Norwegian Polar Institute (NO), Scottish Association For Marine Science (GB)
European Commission, Norges Forskningsråd, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Marine and coastal plant biology
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.