In the current scenario of climate change characterized by a generalized warming, many
species are facing local extinctions in areas with conditions near their thermal tolerance
threshold. At present, the southern limit of the geographical distribution of several habitat-
forming algae of cold-temperate affinities is located in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula, and
the Rías Baixas may be acting as contemporary refugia at the range edge. Therefore, it is
necessary to analyze future changes induced by ocean warming in this area that may …

Climate change is causing pronounced shifts in the geographical distributions of intertidal
canopy-forming macroalgae, especially at their warm-edge. The Northwest Iberian
Peninsula (NWIP) coast is a vulnerable area as it is located at the southern distribution
boundary of many species. Himanthalia elongata (L.) SF Gray and Bifurcaria bifurcata R.
Ross are considered representatives of cold and warm-temperate affinity species,
respectively. Because of it, they are used in the present work as potentially sensitive …