Summary
Heat waves are increasing across the U.S., altering the health of coastal ecosystems and, by extension, the health and welfare of the American public who depend on coastal resources. The success of coastal systems may depend on species that create habitat, protecting the overall ecological community from heat-wave impacts. Seaweed canopies and shellfish beds can provide shade and retain moisture, maintaining a cooler, damper environment that buffers the effects of heat waves. This project evaluates the ability of two of the most abundant habitat-forming species on the U.S. coastline – rockweed
