Increases in temperature and freshwater inputs will shift grazing patterns of a coastal mesograzer on foundation species

Abstract Foundation species, and the roles that they play in structuring ecosystems, are threatened by global change. For example, charophytes a refuge for zooplankton stabilize sediments, but also food source various animal species (water birds, fishes, invertebrates). Particularly, introduction of new such as Gammarus tigrinus , into Baltic Sea led to yet not understood changes web. Furthermore, future projections point increased water temperatures freshwater inputs affecting capacity acclimatize changing abiotic factors. In this study, we investigated influence temperature salinity on grazing pressure G. two charophyte species: Chara aspera tomentosa . The experiments were conducted full‐factorial design with factors (3–13 g kg −1 ), (5–30°C), species. Grazing rates determined mass deviation within 48 h considering biomass presence absence gammarids. further used calculate losses coastal lagoons different concentrations recent time periods. Increasing can buffer loss at higher temperatures. Gammarids had impact C. than potential peak about 24°C is reached these waters may be near shown our projection results. However, increase decrease will cause shift seasonal individual patterns from summer spring autumn. An input lead optimal habitats future. These interactions between biotic affect spatial distribution exploit foundation