Laura Elina Kauppi

• Doctor of Philosophy
• University of Helsinki

The magnitude and frequency of marine heatwaves are increasing and predicted to intensify, but our ability to understand the real‐world effects on vital benthic ecosystems is lagging behind. Prior insights into the impacts of marine heatwaves are often derived from observational or laboratory studies. Observational studies may not fully disentangle...

Molecular methods such as DNA/eDNA metabarcoding have emerged as useful tools to document the biodiversity of complex communities over large spatio-temporal scales. We established an international Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (ARMS-MBON) combining standardised sampling using autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) with metabarcoding...

Molecular methods such as DNA/eDNA metabarcoding have emerged as useful tools to document biodiversity of complex communities over large spatio-temporal scales. We established an international Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (ARMS-MBON) combining standardised sampling using autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) with metabarcoding for...

The frequency of abnormally warm water events is increasing not only in surface waters, but also in subsurface layers, with major impacts on benthic ecosystems. Previous insights on heatwave effects have been obtained through field observations or manipulative laboratory experiments. Here, we introduce a system capable of inducing elevated water te...

To understand global shifting trends in marine biodiversity it is essential to apply cost-efficient biomonitoring approaches in a coordinated and standardized manner, to generate comparable data across geographical regions and countries. In this context, DNA metabarcoding is particularly useful to document biodiversity over larger spatiotemporal sc...

The increasing frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) observed worldwide entails changes in the structure and functioning of ecological communities. While severe and extreme heatwaves often have more destructive effects, the more subtle effects of moderate and strong heatwaves may nevertheless affect ecosystem functioning through comple...

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. Several well-documented effects of heatwaves on community structure exist, but examples of their effect on functioning of species, communities or ecosystems remain scarce. We tested the effects of short-term, moderate and strong MHWs on macrofauna bioturbation...

The invasive mussel Arcuatula senhousia has successfully colonized shallow soft sediments worldwide. This filter feeding mussel modifies sedimentary habitats while forming dense populations and efficiently contributes to nutrient cycling. In the present study, the density of A. senhousia was manipulated in intact sediment cores taken within an inte...

Bioturbation is a key process affecting nutrient cycling in soft sediments. The invasive polychaete genus Marenzelleria spp. has established successfully throughout the Baltic Sea increasing species and functional diversity with possible density-dependent effects on bioturbation and associated solute fluxes. We tested the effects of increasing dens...

Three species of the invasive polychaete genus Marenzelleria are among the dominant benthic taxa in many, especially deeper, areas in the Baltic Sea. The population dynamics of the polychaetes in the Baltic are, however, still largely unknown. We conducted monthly samplings of the benthic communities and environmental parameters at five sites with...

Benthic ecosystems at temperate and high latitudes experience marked seasonal variation in the environmental factors affecting nutrient remineralization processes both directly and indirectly through their effects on the benthic communities. The invasive polychaete genus Marenzelleria represents new functionality in Baltic Sea sediments through its...

While beta diversity has been implicated as a key factor in controlling resilience of communities to stressors, lack of long-term data sets has limited the study of temporal dynamics of beta diversity. With a time series at two sites in excess of 40 yr, we investigated turnover of both species and functional traits in a system stressed by eutrophic...

While beta diversity has been implicated as a key factor in controlling resilience of communities to stressors, lack of long-term data sets has limited the study of temporal dynamics of beta diversity. With a time series at two sites in excess of 40 yr, we investigated turnover of both species and functional traits in a system stressed by eutrophic...

Invasive species are considered to be a major threat to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems worldwide due to their negative effects on biodiversity , ecosystem functioning and species interactions. This study investigates with the help of large-scale monitoring datasets the spatial and temporal distribution of a successful invader, the polychae...

Marenzelleria spp. are among the most successful non-native benthic species in the Baltic Sea. These burrowing polychaetes dig deeper than most native Baltic species, performing previously lacking ecosystem functions. We examine evidence from experiments, field sampling and modelling that the introduction of Marenzelleria spp. affects nutrient cycl...

Densities of submerged vegetation and those of associated animals tend to co‐vary. This relationship is often attributed to the positive correlation between the density of vegetation and its protective value against predators. However, two counteracting basic elements underlying this paradigm limit its generality. That is, increasing vegetation den...