Artificial light at night alters seaweed reproductive phenology

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Moyse, E, Firth, LB, Smyth, TJ and Davies, TW 2025 Artificial light at night alters seaweed reproductive phenology. Environmental Pollution, 385. 127155. 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127155

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127155

Abstract/Summary

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a growing, globally prevalent environmental stressor. It is known to disrupt biological processes across taxa and biomes, including reproductive phenology in terrestrial plants, but its potential to alter reproductive timings in marine macroalgae remains unexplored. We used reflectance spectrometry to quantitatively assess changes in receptacle ripeness of three fucoid macroalgae species at four field sites along an ALAN gradient in Plymouth Sound, UK over a six-month period. At sites with elevated ALAN (measured using Sky Quality Meters, range 16.15–18.76 mag arcsec− 2 , equivalent to 3.75 × 10− 2 –3.38 × 10− 3 cd/m2), expected seasonal patterns of receptacle ripening in Ascophyllum nodosum were reversed, causing receptacles to continue ripening into the winter months as opposed to peaking during the summer. Fucus serratus also continued to ripen in winter when exposed to the highest ALAN levels (16.15 mag arcsec− 2 , 3.75 × 10− 2 cd m− 2). Our results provide some of the first evidence that ALAN disrupts reproductive timings in fucoid macroalgae. Given the critical role of fucoids in coastal ecosystems worldwide, ALAN should be recognised as a potential driver of ecological change in these species. Incorporating ALAN into conservation strategies is essential for protecting these foundational habitats.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	Artificial light at night; Intertidal ecology; Global change ecology; Light pollution; Macroalgae; Phenology; Seaweeds; Urbanisation
Divisions:	Plymouth Marine Laboratory > Science Areas > Marine Processes and Observations
Depositing User:	S Hawkins
Date made live:	25 Sep 2025 14:45
Last Modified:	25 Sep 2025 14:45
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/10524

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