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Fairchild TP, Walter B, Mutter JJ, Griffin JN. Topographic heterogeneity triggers complementary cascades that enhance ecosystem multifunctionality. Ecology 2024:e4434. [PMID: 39354801 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024]
Abstract
Topographic heterogeneity sets the stage for community assembly, but its effects on ecosystem functioning remain poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that topographic heterogeneity underpins multiple cascading species interactions and functional pathways that indirectly control multifunctionality. To do so, we combined experimental manipulation of a form of topographic heterogeneity on rocky shores (holes of various sizes) with a comprehensive assessment of naturally assembled communities and multifunctionality. Structural equation modeling indicated that heterogeneity: (1) enhanced biodiversity by supporting filter feeder richness; (2) triggered a facilitation cascade via reef-forming (polychaete) and biomass-dominant (macroalga) foundation species, which in turn broadly supported functionally diverse epibiotic and understory assemblages; and (3) inhibited a key consumer (limpet). The model supported that these mechanisms exerted complementary positive effects on individual functions (e.g., water filtration, ecosystem metabolism, nutrient uptake) and, in turn, collectively enhanced multifunctionality. Topographic heterogeneity may therefore serve as a cornerstone physical attribute by initiating multiple cascades that propagate through ecological communities via foundation species, ultimately manifesting disproportionate effects on ecosystem multifunctionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom P Fairchild
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Wallace Building, Swansea University, Singleton Park Campus, Swansea, UK
| | - Bettina Walter
- Project Seagrass, Unit 1 Garth Drive, Brackla Industrial Estate, Bridgend, UK
| | - Joshua J Mutter
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Wallace Building, Swansea University, Singleton Park Campus, Swansea, UK
| | - John N Griffin
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Wallace Building, Swansea University, Singleton Park Campus, Swansea, UK
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2
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Bulleri F, Schubert N, Hall-Spencer JM, Basso D, Burdett HL, Francini-Filho RB, Grall J, Horta PA, Kamenos NA, Martin S, Nannini M, Neves P, Olivé I, Peña V, Ragazzola F, Ribeiro C, Rinde E, Sissini M, Tuya F, Silva J. Positive species interactions structure rhodolith bed communities at a global scale. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39300809 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Rhodolith beds are diverse and globally distributed habitats. Nonetheless, the role of rhodoliths in structuring the associated species community through a hierarchy of positive interactions is yet to be recognised. In this review, we provide evidence that rhodoliths can function as foundation species of multi-level facilitation cascades and, hence, are fundamental for the persistence of hierarchically structured communities within coastal oceans. Rhodoliths generate facilitation cascades by buffering physical stress, reducing consumer pressure and enhancing resource availability. Due to large variations in their shape, size and density, a single rhodolith bed can support multiple taxonomically distant and architecturally distinct habitat-forming species, such as primary producers, sponges or bivalves, thus encompassing a broad range of functional traits and providing a wealth of secondary microhabitat and food resources. In addition, rhodoliths are often mobile, and thus can redistribute associated species, potentially expanding the distribution of species with short-distance dispersal abilities. Key knowledge gaps we have identified include: the experimental assessment of the role of rhodoliths as basal facilitators; the length and temporal stability of facilitation cascades; variations in species interactions within cascades across environmental gradients; and the role of rhodolith beds as climate refugia. Addressing these research priorities will allow the development of evidence-based policy decisions and elevate rhodolith beds within marine conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Bulleri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna 1, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Nadine Schubert
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR/CIMAR LA), Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Jason M Hall-Spencer
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shizuoka, Japan
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Daniela Basso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, CoNISMa Research Unit of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Heidi L Burdett
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Norrbyn, Sweden
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ronaldo B Francini-Filho
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Conservação Marinha, Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Jacques Grall
- UAR 3113 OSU, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Univ Brest, Plouzané, France
| | - Paulo A Horta
- Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Nicholas A Kamenos
- Umeå Marine Sciences Centre, Umeå University, Norrbyn, Sweden
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sophie Martin
- UMR 7144 Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
| | - Matteo Nannini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, NA, 80121, Italy
| | - Pedro Neves
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR/CIMAR LA), Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
- Observatório Oceânico da Madeira, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (OOM/ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Irene Olivé
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, NA, 80121, Italy
| | - Viviana Peña
- BioCost Research Group, Faculty of Sciences, University of A Coruña, rúa da Fraga 10, A Coruña, 15008, Spain
| | - Federica Ragazzola
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Genoa Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 9 Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, Genoa, 16126, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Cláudia Ribeiro
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR/CIMAR LA), Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
- IFCN-Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Eli Rinde
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marina Sissini
- Department of Marine Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain
| | - João Silva
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR/CIMAR LA), Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
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Diehl N, Laeseke P, Bartsch I, Bligh M, Buck-Wiese H, Hehemann JH, Niedzwiedz S, Plag N, Karsten U, Shan T, Bischof K. Photoperiod and temperature interactions drive the latitudinal distribution of Laminaria hyperborea (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) under climate change. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39264835 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Due to global rises in temperature, recent studies predict marine species shifting toward higher latitudes. We investigated the impact of interacting abiotic drivers on the distribution potential of the temperate kelp Laminaria hyperborea. The ecosystem engineering species is widespread along European coasts but has not yet been observed in the High Arctic, although it can survive several months of low temperatures and darkness. To investigate its ability to extend northward in future, we conducted a long-term multifactorial experiment with sporophytes from Porsangerfjorden, Norway-close to the species' documented northernmost distribution margin. The samples were exposed to three different photoperiods (PolarDay, LongDay, and PolarNight) at 0°C, 5°C, and 10°C for 3 months. Optimum quantum yield of photosynthesis (Fv/Fm), dry weight, pigments, phlorotannins, and storage carbohydrates were monitored. Both physiological and biochemical parameters revealed that L. hyperborea was strongly influenced by the different photoperiods and their interaction with temperature, while temperature alone exerted only minor effects. The Fv/Fm data were integrated into a species distribution model to project a possible northward expansion of L. hyperborea. The combination of extended day lengths and low temperatures appeared to be the limiting reason for northward spread of L. hyperborea until recently. However, with water temperatures reaching 10°C in summer, this kelp will be able to thrive also in the High Arctic. Moreover, no evidence of stress to Arctic winter warming was observed. Consequently, L. hyperborea has a high potential for spreading northward with further warming which may significantly affect the structure and function of Arctic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Diehl
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Philipp Laeseke
- Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Inka Bartsch
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Margot Bligh
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Jan-Hendrik Hehemann
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sarina Niedzwiedz
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Niklas Plag
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI)-Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Ulf Karsten
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Faculty, Department of Maritime Systems, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Tifeng Shan
- Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Kai Bischof
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry & MARUM, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Suding KN, Collins CG, Hallett LM, Larios L, Brigham LM, Dudney J, Farrer EC, Larson JE, Shackelford N, Spasojevic MJ. Biodiversity in changing environments: An external-driver internal-topology framework to guide intervention. Ecology 2024; 105:e4322. [PMID: 39014865 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Accompanying the climate crisis is the more enigmatic biodiversity crisis. Rapid reorganization of biodiversity due to global environmental change has defied prediction and tested the basic tenets of conservation and restoration. Conceptual and practical innovation is needed to support decision making in the face of these unprecedented shifts. Critical questions include: How can we generalize biodiversity change at the community level? When are systems able to reorganize and maintain integrity, and when does abiotic change result in collapse or restructuring? How does this understanding provide a template to guide when and how to intervene in conservation and restoration? To this end, we frame changes in community organization as the modulation of external abiotic drivers on the internal topology of species interactions, using plant-plant interactions in terrestrial communities as a starting point. We then explore how this framing can help translate available data on species abundance and trait distributions to corresponding decisions in management. Given the expectation that community response and reorganization are highly complex, the external-driver internal-topology (EDIT) framework offers a way to capture general patterns of biodiversity that can help guide resilience and adaptation in changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine N Suding
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Courtney G Collins
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Biodiversity Research Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lauren M Hallett
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Loralee Larios
- Department of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Laurel M Brigham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Joan Dudney
- Environmental Studies Program, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Emily C Farrer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Julie E Larson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon, USA
| | - Nancy Shackelford
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marko J Spasojevic
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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Stephens T, Umanzor S. Comparative nutrient drawdown capacities of farmed kelps and implications of metabolic strategy and nutrient source. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:685-694. [PMID: 38548387 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Seaweed aquaculture, particularly kelp farming, is a popular topic as a potential solution for mitigating anthropogenic pollutants and enhancing coastal drawdown of carbon and nitrogen. Using a common garden approach, this study evaluated nutrient drawdown capacities of Alaria marginata (ribbon kelp) and Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp) across four commercial kelp farms in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. Our findings show that A. marginata exhibited ~30% more carbon and 21% more nitrogen content compared to S. latissima. These results demonstrate the potential for A. marginata to serve as a more efficient species for nutrient drawdown into farmed kelp tissues (per unit biomass) for consideration of potential mitigative actions. The efficacy of this drawdown is likely to be driven by the careful pairing of kelp species with farming environment. Temporally, there was a noted increase in carbon content and a decline in nitrogen content from March to May for both species, consistent with known seasonal nutrient dynamics in coastal waters. Notably, differences in the carbon stable isotope signatures (δ13C) between the kelps may hint at variations in metabolic pathways and nutrient sourcing, particularly concerning the preferential assimilation of CO2 versusHCO 3 - , and highlight the need for further work on this topic for applied macroalgal research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Stephens
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Schery Umanzor
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska, USA
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6
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Gonzalez‐Aragon D, Rivadeneira MM, Lara C, Torres FI, Vásquez JA, Broitman BR. A species distribution model of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera: Worldwide changes and a focus on the Southeast Pacific. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10901. [PMID: 38435006 PMCID: PMC10905252 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Worldwide climate-driven shifts in the distribution of species is of special concern when it involves habitat-forming species. In the coastal environment, large Laminarian algae-kelps-form key coastal ecosystems that support complex and diverse food webs. Among kelps, Macrocystis pyrifera is the most widely distributed habitat-forming species and provides essential ecosystem services. This study aimed to establish the main drivers of future distributional changes on a global scale and use them to predict future habitat suitability. Using species distribution models (SDM), we examined the changes in global distribution of M. pyrifera under different emission scenarios with a focus on the Southeast Pacific shores. To constrain the drivers of our simulations to the most important factors controlling kelp forest distribution across spatial scales, we explored a suite of environmental variables and validated the predictions derived from the SDMs. Minimum sea surface temperature was the single most important variable explaining the global distribution of suitable habitat for M. pyrifera. Under different climate change scenarios, we always observed a decrease of suitable habitat at low latitudes, while an increase was detected in other regions, mostly at high latitudes. Along the Southeast Pacific, we observed an upper range contraction of -17.08° S of latitude for 2090-2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario, implying a loss of habitat suitability throughout the coast of Peru and poleward to -27.83° S in Chile. Along the area of Northern Chile where a complete habitat loss is predicted by our model, natural stands are under heavy exploitation. The loss of habitat suitability will take place worldwide: Significant impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are likely. Furthermore, changes in habitat suitability are a harbinger of massive impacts in the socio-ecological systems of the Southeast Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gonzalez‐Aragon
- Doctorado en Ciencias, mención en Biodiversidad y Biorecursos, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Católica de la Santísima ConcepciónConcepcionChile
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Núcleo Milenio UPWELL
| | - Marcelo M. Rivadeneira
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas ÁridasCoquimboChile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del MarUniversidad Católica del NorteCoquimboChile
| | - Carlos Lara
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Católica de la Santísima ConcepciónConcepcionChile
- Centro de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y SustentabilidadUniversidad Bernardo O'HigginsSantiagoChile
| | - Felipe I. Torres
- Doctorado en Ciencias, mención en Biodiversidad y Biorecursos, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Católica de la Santísima ConcepciónConcepcionChile
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Data Observatory Foundation, ANID Technology Center No. DO210001SantiagoChile
| | - Julio A. Vásquez
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del MarUniversidad Católica del NorteCoquimboChile
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Algas y Otros Recursos Biológicos (CIDTA)CoquimboChile
| | - Bernardo R. Broitman
- Instituto Milenio en Socio‐Ecología Costera (SECOS)SantiagoChile
- Núcleo Milenio UPWELL
- Facultad de Artes LiberalesUniversidad Adolfo IbañezViña Del MarChile
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Wernberg T, Thomsen MS, Baum JK, Bishop MJ, Bruno JF, Coleman MA, Filbee-Dexter K, Gagnon K, He Q, Murdiyarso D, Rogers K, Silliman BR, Smale DA, Starko S, Vanderklift MA. Impacts of Climate Change on Marine Foundation Species. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2024; 16:247-282. [PMID: 37683273 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-042023-093037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine foundation species are the biotic basis for many of the world's coastal ecosystems, providing structural habitat, food, and protection for myriad plants and animals as well as many ecosystem services. However, climate change poses a significant threat to foundation species and the ecosystems they support. We review the impacts of climate change on common marine foundation species, including corals, kelps, seagrasses, salt marsh plants, mangroves, and bivalves. It is evident that marine foundation species have already been severely impacted by several climate change drivers, often through interactive effects with other human stressors, such as pollution, overfishing, and coastal development. Despite considerable variation in geographical, environmental, and ecological contexts, direct and indirect effects of gradual warming and subsequent heatwaves have emerged as the most pervasive drivers of observed impact and potent threat across all marine foundation species, but effects from sea level rise, ocean acidification, and increased storminess are expected to increase. Documented impacts include changes in the genetic structures, physiology, abundance, and distribution of the foundation species themselves and changes to their interactions with other species, with flow-on effects to associated communities, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning. We discuss strategies to support marine foundation species into the Anthropocene, in order to increase their resilience and ensure the persistence of the ecosystem services they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wernberg
- Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia;
- Flødevigen Research Station, Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
| | - Mads S Thomsen
- Marine Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Julia K Baum
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Melanie J Bishop
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John F Bruno
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Melinda A Coleman
- National Marine Science Centre, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen Filbee-Dexter
- Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia;
- Flødevigen Research Station, Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
| | - Karine Gagnon
- Flødevigen Research Station, Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
| | - Qiang He
- Coastal Ecology Lab, MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Daniel Murdiyarso
- Center for International Forestry Research-World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Bogor, Indonesia
- Department of Geophysics and Meteorology, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Kerrylee Rogers
- School of Earth, Atmospheric, and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brian R Silliman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dan A Smale
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Starko
- Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia;
| | - Mathew A Vanderklift
- Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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8
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Arcángel AE, Rodríguez EA, Saad JF, de la Barra P, Narvarte MA, Storero LP, Pereyra PJ. Same species, different population dynamics: Spatio-temporal differences of Undaria pinnatifida (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae) in the intertidal of North Patagonia, Argentina. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2023; 59:1310-1322. [PMID: 37817449 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Population dynamics can be influenced by physical and biological factors, particularly in stressful environments. Introduced species usually have great physiological plasticity, resulting in populations with different traits. Undaria pinnatifida, a macroalga originally described from northeast Asia, was introduced in Northern Patagonia, Argentina (San Matías Gulf) around 2010. To describe the spatio-temporal variability in population structure and morphometry of U. pinnatifida, we conducted monthly field samplings for 2 years at the intertidal area of two contrasting sites in the San Matías Gulf. Individuals of U. pinnatifida were classified by developmental stage, and their morpho-gravimetric variables were measured. In both intertidal sites juveniles were found in higher proportion during austral autumn and grew and matured during the autumn-winter months (from May onwards), and individuals senesced during early austral summer (December and January). Conversely, density and biomass were largely different between sites, and individuals showed slight morphological variability between sites. Environmental (e.g., nutrient concentration, available substrate) and biological factors (e.g., facilitation, competition) may explain the observed differences. Since there is not a macroalga with U. pinnatifida morphometrical characteristics in the intertidal environments of San Matías Gulf, studying this recent introduction gives us a better understanding of its potential ecological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Evangelina Arcángel
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos Almirante Storni (CIMAS), San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias Marinas-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
| | - Emiliano Alexis Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos Almirante Storni (CIMAS), San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias Marinas-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
| | - Juan Francisco Saad
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos Almirante Storni (CIMAS), San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias Marinas-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
| | - Paula de la Barra
- Coastal Systems Department, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Maite Andrea Narvarte
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos Almirante Storni (CIMAS), San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias Marinas-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
| | - Lorena Pía Storero
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos Almirante Storni (CIMAS), San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias Marinas-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
| | - Patricio Javier Pereyra
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos Almirante Storni (CIMAS), San Antonio Oeste, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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9
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Costa DDA, Dolbeth M, Christoffersen ML, Zúñiga-Upegui PT, Venâncio M, de Lucena RFP. An Overview of Rhodoliths: Ecological Importance and Conservation Emergency. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1556. [PMID: 37511931 PMCID: PMC10382044 DOI: 10.3390/life13071556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Red calcareous algae create bio-aggregations ecosystems constituted by carbonate calcium, with two main morphotypes: geniculate and non-geniculate structures (rhodoliths may form bio-encrustations on hard substrata or unattached nodules). This study presents a bibliographic review of the order Corallinales (specifically, rhodoliths), highlighting on morphology, ecology, diversity, related organisms, major anthropogenic influences on climate change and current conservation initiatives. These habitats are often widespread geographically and bathymetrically, occurring in the photic zone from the intertidal area to depths of 270 m. Due to its diverse morphology, this group offers a special biogenic environment that is favourable to epiphyte algae and a number of marine invertebrates. They also include holobiont microbiota made up of tiny eukaryotes, bacteria and viruses. The morphology of red calcareous algae and outside environmental conditions are thought to be the key forces regulating faunistic communities in algae reefs. The impacts of climate change, particularly those related to acidification, might substantially jeopardise the survival of the Corallinales. Despite the significance of these ecosystems, there are a number of anthropogenic stresses on them. Since there have been few attempts to conserve them, programs aimed at their conservation and management need to closely monitor their habitats, research the communities they are linked with and assess the effects they have on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimítri de Araújo Costa
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- DSE-Department of Systematics and Ecology, CCEN-Center of Exact and Nature Sciences, UFPB-Federal University of Paraíba-Campus I, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa 58050-585, Paraíba, Brazil
- ES-Inst-Environmental Smoke Institute, Rua Comerciante Antonio de Souza Lima, 25, Bairro Mangabeira, João Pessoa 58055-060, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Marina Dolbeth
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Martin Lindsey Christoffersen
- DSE-Department of Systematics and Ecology, CCEN-Center of Exact and Nature Sciences, UFPB-Federal University of Paraíba-Campus I, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa 58050-585, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Pamela Tatiana Zúñiga-Upegui
- GIZ-Grupo de Investigación en Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, UT-Universidad del Tolima, Barrio Santa Helena Parte Alta Cl 42 1-02, Ibagué 730006299, Colombia
| | - Márcia Venâncio
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Reinaldo Farias Paiva de Lucena
- DSE-Department of Systematics and Ecology, CCEN-Center of Exact and Nature Sciences, UFPB-Federal University of Paraíba-Campus I, Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa 58050-585, Paraíba, Brazil
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10
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Montie S, Thomsen MS. Long-term community shifts driven by local extinction of an iconic foundation species following an extreme marine heatwave. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10235. [PMID: 37384244 PMCID: PMC10293786 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Gradual ocean warming combined with stronger marine heatwaves (MHWs) can reduce abundances of foundation species that control community structures, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning. However, few studies have documented long-term succession trajectories following the more extreme events that cause localized extinctions of foundation species. Here, we documented long-term successional changes to marine benthic communities in Pile Bay, New Zealand, following the Tasman 2017/18 MHW, which caused localized extinctions of dominant southern bull kelp (Durvillaea sp.). Six years on, multiscale annual and seasonal surveys show no sign of Durvillaea recolonization. Instead, the invasive annual kelp (Undaria pinnatifida), rapidly colonized areas previously dominated by Durvillaea, followed by large changes to the understory community, as Durvillaea holdfasts and encrusting coralline algae were replaced by coralline turf. Between 3 and 6 years after the total loss of Durvillaea, smaller native fucoids colonized in high densities. Although Undaria initially colonized plots throughout Durvillaea's tidal range, later in the succession Undaria only retained dominance in the lower intertidal zone and only in spring. Ultimately, the tidal zone was slowly replaced by alternative foundation species, composed of different canopy-forming brown seaweeds that dominated different intertidal elevations, resulting in a net increase in canopy and understory diversity. This study is a rare example of long-term effects following an extreme MHW that caused extinctions of a locally dominant canopy-former, but these events and their associated dramatic changes to community structures and biodiversity are expected to become increasingly common as MHWs continue to increase in strength, frequency, and duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinae Montie
- Marine Ecology Research Group, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
| | - Mads S. Thomsen
- Marine Ecology Research Group, School of Biological SciencesUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
- Department of EcoscienceAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
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11
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Pedicini L, Vannini C, Rindi F, Ravaglioli C, Bertocci I, Bulleri F. Variations in epilithic microbial biofilm composition and recruitment of a canopy-forming alga between pristine and urban rocky shores. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 188:106035. [PMID: 37267663 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Brown algae of the genus Ericaria are habitat formers on Mediterranean rocky shores supporting marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Their population decline has prompted attempts for restoration of threatened populations. Although epilithic microbial biofilms (EMBs) are determinant for macroalgal settlement, their role in regulating the recovery of populations through the recruitment of new thalli is yet to be explored. In this study, we assessed variations in microbial biofilms composition on the settlement of Ericaria amentacea at sites exposed to different human pressures. Artificial fouling surfaces were deployed in two areas at each of three study sites in the Ligurian Sea (Capraia Island, Secche della Meloria and the mainland coast of Livorno), to allow bacterial biofilm colonization. In the laboratory, zygotes of E. amentacea were released on these surfaces to evaluate the survival of germlings. The EMB's composition was assessed through DNA metabarcoding analysis, which revealed a difference between the EMB of Capraia Island and that of Livorno. Fouling surfaces from Capraia Island had higher rates of zygote settlement than the other two sites. This suggests that different environmental conditions can influence the EMB composition on substrata, possibly influencing algal settlement rate. Assessing the suitability of rocky substrata for E. amentacea settlement is crucial for successful restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Pedicini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudia Vannini
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Rindi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, I-60131, Ancona, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Italy
| | - Chiara Ravaglioli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Iacopo Bertocci
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Bulleri
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, CoNISMa, Via Derna 1, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per lo Studio degli Effetti del Cambiamento Climatico (CIRSEC), Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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12
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Sainz-Villegas S, Sánchez-Astráin B, Puente A, Juanes JA. Characterization of Gelidium corneum's (Florideophyceae, Rhodophyta) vegetative propagation process under increasing levels of temperature and irradiance. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 187:105966. [PMID: 36996639 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is affecting Gelidium corneum (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux fields in the Bay of Biscay by reducing its cover and biomass. Understanding those changes requires a good characterization of the responses of this species to different stressors, particularly the effects on key processes such as the vegetative propagation. Here, we aimed to characterize the interactive effect of temperature (15, 20 and 25 °C) and irradiance (5-10, 55-60 and 95-100 μmol*m-2*s-1) on two phases of the vegetative propagation process: the re-attachment capacity and the survival of re-attached fragments. The study findings revealed significant effects of both temperature and irradiance in the re-attachment capacity of the species, with higher rates of attachment registered at 20 °C and 5-10 μmol*m-2*s-1 after 10, 20 and 30 days of culture. However, the interaction effects were not significant at any time interval. At higher or lower temperatures and increasing irradiances, the attachment capacity was reduced. On the other hand, irradiance was demonstrated to be the main factor controlling the survival of rhizoids. In fact, higher levels of irradiance generated severe damage on rhizoids, and thus, conditioned the development of new plants. According to this, it seems clear that the vegetative propagation process of this species is expected to become more vulnerable as both variables are expected to rise due to climate change. An increased vulnerability of this species may have several implications from an ecological and economic perspective, so we encourage to continue exploring the factors and processes controlling its distribution in order to adopt better management actions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Sainz-Villegas
- IHCantabria - Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, 39011, Spain
| | - Begoña Sánchez-Astráin
- IHCantabria - Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, 39011, Spain
| | - Araceli Puente
- IHCantabria - Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, 39011, Spain
| | - José A Juanes
- IHCantabria - Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, 39011, Spain.
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13
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Navarro-Mayoral S, Tuya F, Prado P, Marco-Méndez C, Fernandez-Gonzalez V, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Espino F, Antonio de la Ossa J, Vilella DM, Machado M, Martínez-Crego B. Drivers of variation in seagrass-associated amphipods across biogeographical areas. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 186:105918. [PMID: 36791539 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Amphipods are one of the dominant epifaunal groups in seagrass meadows. However, our understanding of the biogeographical patterns in the distribution of these small crustaceans is limited. In this study, we investigated such patterns and the potential drivers in twelve Cymodocea nodosa meadows within four distinctive biogeographical areas across 2000 Km and 13° of latitude in two ocean basins (Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean). We found that species abundances in the assemblage of seagrass-associated amphipods differed among areas following a pattern largely explained by seagrass leaf area and epiphyte biomass, while the variation pattern in species presence/absence was determined by seagrass density and epiphyte biomass. Seagrass leaf area was also the most important determinant of greater amphipod total density and species richness, while amphipod density also increased with algal cover. Overall, our results evidenced that biogeographical patterns of variation in amphipod assemblages are mainly influenced by components of the habitat structure, which covary with environmental conditions, finding that structurally more complex meadows harboring higher abundance and richness of amphipods associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Navarro-Mayoral
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Patricia Prado
- IRTA-Institute of Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture, Ctra. Poble Nou Km 5.5, 43540, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Candela Marco-Méndez
- Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Carrer Accés Cala Sant Francesc, 14, 17300, Blanes, Girona, Spain
| | - Victoria Fernandez-Gonzalez
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Yolanda Fernández-Torquemada
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-Ecoaqua, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio de la Ossa
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - David Mateu Vilella
- IRTA-Institute of Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture, Ctra. Poble Nou Km 5.5, 43540, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain
| | - Margarida Machado
- Centre of Marine Sciences of University of Algarve (CCMAR-UAlg), Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 7, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Begoña Martínez-Crego
- Centre of Marine Sciences of University of Algarve (CCMAR-UAlg), Campus de Gambelas, Ed. 7, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
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14
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Ridenour WM, Lortie CJ, Callaway RM. A realized facilitation cascade mediated by biological soil crusts in a sagebrush steppe community. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4803. [PMID: 36959466 PMCID: PMC10036522 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31967-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological soil crusts can have strong effects on vascular plant communities which have been inferred from short-term germination and early establishment responses. However, biocrusts are often assumed to function as an "organizing principle" in communities because their effects can "cascade" to interactions among crust-associated plant species. We conducted surveys and experiments to explore these cascades and found that biocrusts were positively associated with large patches (> 10 m diameter) of a dominant shrub Artemisia tridentata. At the smaller scale of individual shrubs and the open matrices between shrubs, biocrusts were negatively associated with Artemisia. Juveniles of Artemisia were found only in biocrusts in intershrub spaces and never under shrubs or in soil without biocrusts. In two-year field experiments, biocrusts increased the growth of Festuca and the photosynthetic rates of Artemisia. Festuca planted under Artemisia were also at least twice as large as those planted in open sites without crusts or where Artemisia were removed. Thus, biocrusts can facilitate vascular plants over long time periods and can contribute to a "realized" cascade with nested negative and positive interactions for a range of species, but unusual among documented cascades in that it includes only autotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy M Ridenour
- Department of Biology, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT, 59725, USA.
| | - C J Lortie
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ragan M Callaway
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
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15
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Effect of Depth across a Latitudinal Gradient in the Structure of Rhodolith Seabeds and Associated Biota across the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Rhodolith seabeds are ‘ecosystem engineers’ composed of free-living calcareous red macroalgae, which create extensive marine habitats. This study addressed how depth influenced the structure (size and morphology) of rhodoliths and the abundance of associated floral and faunal epibionts across the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Sampling was carried out at two sites within five regions (Brittany, Galicia, Madeira, Gran Canaria, and Principe Island), from temperate to tropical, covering a latitudinal gradient of 47°, in three depth strata (shallow, intermediate and deep), according to the rhodolith bathymetrical range in each region. Depth typically affected the rhodolith size at all regions; the largest nodules were found in the intermediate and deep strata, while rhodolith sphericity was larger at the shallow depth strata. Higher biomasses of attached macroalgae (epiphytes) were observed at depths where rhodoliths were larger. The abundance of epifauna was variable across regions and depth strata. In general, the occurrence, structure, and abundance of the associated biota across rhodolith habitats were affected by depth, with local variability (i.e., sites within regions) often displaying a more significant influence than the regional (large-scale) variation. Overall, this study showed that the rhodolith morphology and associated epibionts (flora and fauna) were mostly affected by depth, irrespective of latitude.
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16
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Ramus AP, Lefcheck JS, Long ZT. Foundational biodiversity effects propagate through coastal food webs via multiple pathways. Ecology 2022; 103:e3796. [PMID: 35724974 PMCID: PMC9787374 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Relatively few studies have attempted to resolve the pathways through which the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning cascade from one trophic level to another. Here, we manipulated the richness of habitat-forming seaweeds in a western Atlantic estuary to explore how changes in foundation species diversity affect the structure and functioning of the benthic consumer communities that they support. Structural equation modeling revealed that macroalgal richness enhanced invertebrate abundance, biomass, and diversity, both directly by changing the quality and palatability of the foundational substrate and indirectly by increasing the total biomass of available habitat. Consumer responses were largely driven by a single foundational seaweed, although stronger complementarity among macroalgae was observed for invertebrate richness. These findings with diverse foundational phyla extend earlier inferences from terrestrial grasslands by showing that biodiversity effects can simultaneously propagate through multiple independent pathways to maintain animal foodwebs. Our work also highlights the potential ramifications of human-induced changes in marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P. Ramus
- Department of Biology and Marine BiologyUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jonathan S. Lefcheck
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories NetworkMarineGEO, Smithsonian Environmental Research CenterEdgewaterMarylandUSA
| | - Zachary T. Long
- Department of Biology and Marine BiologyUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNorth CarolinaUSA
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17
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Berke SK. A Review of Diopatra Ecology: Current Knowledge, Open Questions, and Future Threats for an Ecosystem Engineering Polychaete. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101485. [PMID: 36290391 PMCID: PMC9598674 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A well-known example of marine ecosystem engineering is the annelid genus Diopatra, which builds large tubes in coastal sediments worldwide. Early studies of Diopatra were among the first to recognize the importance of facilitation in ecology, and Diopatra has become a key marine soft-sediment application of the ecosystem engineering concept. Here, I review our current knowledge of Diopatra ecology, including its natural history, ecosystem engineering effects, and trophic relationships. I particularly explore how human activities are influencing Diopatra in terms of climate change, bait fishing, and species invasions. Most of what we know about Diopatra ecology comes from focal studies of a few species in a few well-known regions. Further evaluating how our current understanding applies to other species and/or other regions will help to refine and deepen our understanding of structure and function in marine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Berke
- Siena College, Department of Biological Sciences, Loudonville, NY 12211, USA
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18
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Vimercati G, Probert AF, Volery L, Bernardo-Madrid R, Bertolino S, Céspedes V, Essl F, Evans T, Gallardo B, Gallien L, González-Moreno P, Grange MC, Hui C, Jeschke JM, Katsanevakis S, Kühn I, Kumschick S, Pergl J, Pyšek P, Rieseberg L, Robinson TB, Saul WC, Sorte CJB, Vilà M, Wilson JRU, Bacher S. The EICAT+ framework enables classification of positive impacts of alien taxa on native biodiversity. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001729. [PMID: 35972940 PMCID: PMC9380921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Species introduced through human-related activities beyond their native range, termed alien species, have various impacts worldwide. The IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) is a global standard to assess negative impacts of alien species on native biodiversity. Alien species can also positively affect biodiversity (for instance, through food and habitat provisioning or dispersal facilitation) but there is currently no standardized and evidence-based system to classify positive impacts. We fill this gap by proposing EICAT+, which uses 5 semiquantitative scenarios to categorize the magnitude of positive impacts, and describes underlying mechanisms. EICAT+ can be applied to all alien taxa at different spatial and organizational scales. The application of EICAT+ expands our understanding of the consequences of biological invasions and can inform conservation decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna F. Probert
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lara Volery
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Ruben Bernardo-Madrid
- Department of Integrated Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sandro Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Vanessa Céspedes
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Franz Essl
- Bioinvasions, Global Change, Macroecology-Group, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Evans
- Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Laure Gallien
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Cang Hui
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Biodiversity Informatics Unit, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jonathan M. Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Ingolf Kühn
- Department Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Halle, Germany
- Department of Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Kumschick
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jan Pergl
- Department of Invasion Ecology, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pyšek
- Department of Invasion Ecology, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Loren Rieseberg
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tamara B. Robinson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Wolf-Christian Saul
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Cascade J. B. Sorte
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Montserrat Vilà
- Department of Integrated Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - John R. U. Wilson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sven Bacher
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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19
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Byers JE. Using ecosystem engineers to enhance multiple ecosystem processes. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James E. Byers
- Odum School of Ecology University of Georgia Athens Georgia USA
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20
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Sanmartí N, Ontoria Y, Ricart AM, Arthur R, Alcoverro T, Pérez M, Romero J. Exploring coexistence mechanisms in a three-species assemblage. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 178:105647. [PMID: 35605380 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Interactions among species are essential in shaping ecological communities, although it is not always clear under what conditions they can persist when the number of species involved is higher than two. Here we describe a three-species assemblage involving the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa, the pen shell Pinna nobilis and the herbivore sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, and we explore the mechanisms allowing its persistence through field observations and manipulative experiments. The abundance of pen shells was higher in seagrass beds than in bare sand, suggesting a recruitment facilitation. The presence of sea urchins, almost exclusively attached or around pen shells, indicated habitat facilitation for sea urchins, which overgrazed the meadow around the pen shells forming seagrass-free halos. Our results suggest that this system persists thanks to: (i) the behavioral reluctance of sea urchins to move far from pen shells, making their impact on seagrass strictly local, (ii) the sparse distribution of pen shells and (iii) the plant's resistance mechanisms to herbivory. Unpacking these mechanisms allows a better understanding of how ecological communities are assembled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Sanmartí
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Yaiza Ontoria
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aurora M Ricart
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr, East Boothbay, ME, 04544, USA
| | - Rohan Arthur
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Accés a la cala Sant Francesc, 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain; Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, 570 002, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | - Teresa Alcoverro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Accés a la cala Sant Francesc, 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain; Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, 4th Cross, Gokulam Park, 570 002, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | - Marta Pérez
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Romero
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Non-native red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla compensates for seagrass loss as blue crab nursery habitat in the emerging Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267880. [PMID: 35639716 PMCID: PMC9154113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-native species can become deleterious or potentially beneficial as components of novel ecosystems. The non-native red macroalga Gracilaria vermiculophylla may provide nursery habitat where eelgrass Zostera marina has been extirpated in Chesapeake Bay. A mensurative experiment was conducted monthly May–October 2013 and 2014 in the York River, Chesapeake Bay, to evaluate hypotheses that Gracilaria (1) can compensate for the loss of seagrass nurseries by colonizing habitats where seagrass has been eliminated by environmental stress, and (2) is utilized by juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) as nursery habitat. We quantified Gracilaria presence, percent cover, and biomass as a function of region (upriver, midriver, and downriver) and seagrass presence or absence using stratified random sampling, 20-m transects, and 0.0625-m2 quadrats. Gracilaria volume was measured and converted to dry weight. Effects of the factors and covariates temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, month, and year were analyzed using generalized linear models. Juvenile blue crab density was quantified in summer 2013 using suction sampling in Gracilaria and seagrass. A model with the collective effect of region and seagrass presence or absence (downriver seagrass, downriver unvegetated bottom, midriver unvegetated bottom) best predicted Gracilaria abundance. Gracilaria presence, percent cover, and biomass were highest in downriver seagrass, followed by downriver unvegetated bottom, and then midriver unvegetated bottom, where seagrass has been extirpated, supporting hypothesis (1). Gracilaria did not occur upriver, likely due to a lack of recruitment. Seagrass and Gracilaria housed similar densities of juvenile blue crabs, supporting hypothesis (2). We estimated that a single 40-ha cove system with Gracilaria could house 200,000 juvenile crabs as would a single 2.4-ha seagrass bed. Consequently, the numerous midriver and downriver cove systems in the York River could support millions of young juvenile blue crabs and thereby compensate for the loss of seagrass in the river and in other areas of Chesapeake Bay. At present, Gracilaria has no widespread negative impacts on seagrass in the York River or most regions of Chesapeake Bay, likely because percent cover and biomass are not excessively high at present. We posit that Gracilaria has become an important alternative nursery habitat for the blue crab in Chesapeake Bay and can potentially mitigate impacts of climate change on seagrass nursery habitats.
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22
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Teunissen N, Peters A. Predator suppression by a toxic invader does not cascade to prey due to predation by alternate predators. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02808-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
AbstractInvasive species often have catastrophic direct effects on native species through increased competition and predation. Less well understood are indirect, cascading effects across trophic levels. To reveal trophic disruptions caused by invasive species, it is necessary to document interactions between species at different trophic levels and across guilds. Here, we take this approach to quantify the impact of the invasion of cane toads at a riparian site in the Kimberley, northwest Australia. These toads are toxic to many native vertebrate predators and following toad arrival we observed the expected severe population decline in monitor lizards. Contrary to expectations however, this did not facilitate species in the next trophic level down: the abundance of their reptilian prey, as well as nest success of a songbird whose nests were predominantly depredated by monitor lizards, remained unchanged. Instead, detailed observations suggest a change in the suite of nest predators, with monitor lizards being replaced by other—mainly avian—predators, possibly reflecting their release from competitors that are more efficient nest predators. Hence, our findings highlight complex indirect effects of an invasive species across trophic levels and indicate that trophic cascades can go undetected when failing to include direct observations on predator–prey interactions.
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23
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Marín-Guirao L, Bernardeau-Esteller J, Belando MD, García-Muñoz R, Ramos-Segura A, Alcoverro T, Minguito-Frutos M, Ruiz JM. Photo-acclimatory thresholds anticipate sudden shifts in seagrass ecosystem state under reduced light conditions. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 177:105636. [PMID: 35569182 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems usually respond in a nonlinear fashion to increasing pressures and environmental changes. Feedback mechanisms operating at the ecosystem level and involving multiple interactions among the seagrass meadow, its associated community and the physical environment are known to play a major role in such nonlinear responses. Phenotypic plasticity may also be important for buffering these ecological thresholds (i.e., regime shifts) as many physiological processes show nonlinear responses to gradual environmental changes, conferring the appearance of resistance before the effects at the organism and population levels are visible. However, the potential involvement of plant plasticity in driving catastrophic shifts in seagrass ecosystems has not yet been assessed. In this study, we conducted a manipulative 6-month light-gradient experiment in the field to capture nonlinearities of the physiological and population responses of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to gradual light reduction. The aim was to explore if and how the photo-acclimatory responses of shaded plants are translated to the population level and, hence, to the ecosystem level. Results showed that the seagrass population was rather stable under increasing shading levels through the activation of multilevel photo-acclimative responses, which are initiated with light reduction and modulated in proportion to shading intensity. The activation of photo-physiological and metabolic compensatory responses allowed shaded plants to sustain nearly constant plant productivity (metabolic carbon balance) along a range of shading levels before losing linearity and starting to decline. The species then activated plant- and meadow-scale photo-acclimative responses and drew on its energy reserves (rhizome carbohydrates) to confer additional population resilience. However, when the integration of all these buffering mechanisms failed to counterbalance the effects of extreme light limitation, the population collapsed, giving place to a phase shift from vegetated to bare sediments with catastrophic ecosystem outcomes. Our findings evidence that ecological thresholds in seagrass ecosystems under light limitation can be explained by the role of species' compensatory responses in modulating population-level responses. The thresholds of these plastic responses anticipate the sudden loss of seagrass meadows with the potential to be used as early warning indicators signalling the imminent collapse of the ecosystem, which is of great value for the real-world management of seagrass ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Marín-Guirao
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain.
| | - J Bernardeau-Esteller
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - M D Belando
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - R García-Muñoz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Ramos-Segura
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
| | - T Alcoverro
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acces Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain
| | - M Minguito-Frutos
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acces Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain
| | - J M Ruiz
- Seagrass Ecology Group, Oceanographic Center of Murcia, Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), C/Varadero, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain
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24
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Rivaes RP, Feio MJ, Almeida SFP, Calapez AR, Sales M, Gebler D, Lozanovska I, Aguiar FC. River ecosystem endangerment from climate change-driven regulated flow regimes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 818:151857. [PMID: 34826460 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Major threats of freshwater systems are river damming and habitat degradation, further amplified by climate change, another major driver of biodiversity loss. This study aims to understand the effects of climate change, and its repercussions on hydropower production, on the instream biota of a regulated river. Particularly, it aims to ascertain how mesohabitat availability downstream of hydropower plants changes due to modified flow regimes driven by climate change; how mesohabitat changes will influence the instream biota; and if instream biota changes will be similar within and between biological groups. We used a mesohabitat-level ecohydraulic approach with four biological elements - macrophytes, macroalgae, diatoms and macroinvertebrates - to encompass a holistic ecosystem perspective of the river system. The ecological preferences of the biological groups for specific mesohabitats were established by field survey. The mesohabitat availability in three expected climate change-driven flow regime scenarios was determined by hydrodynamic modeling. The biota abundance/cover was computed for the mesohabitat indicator species of each biological group. Results show that climate-changed flow regimes are characterized by a significant water shortage during summer months already for 2050. Accordingly, the regulated rivers' hydraulics are expected to change towards more homogeneous flow conditions where run habitats should prevail. As a result, the biological elements are expected to face abundance/cover modifications ranging from decreases of 76% up to 67% increase, depending on the biological element and indicator taxa. Diatoms seem to endure the greatest range of modifications while macrophytes the slightest (15% decrease to 38% increase). The greatest modifications would occur on decreasing abundance/cover responses. Such underlies an important risk to fluvial biodiversity in the future, indicting climate change as a significant threat to the fluvial system in regulated rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Pedro Rivaes
- Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Feio
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Salomé F P Almeida
- Department of Biology and GeoBioTec - GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana R Calapez
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Manuela Sales
- Department of Biology and GeoBioTec - GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniel Gebler
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
| | - Ivana Lozanovska
- Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisca C Aguiar
- Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
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25
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One on Top of the Other: Exploring the Habitat Cascades Phenomenon in Iconic Biogenic Marine Habitats. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14040290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Biogenic habitats often form hot spots of biodiversity. However, the role of epibiosis and the ‘habitat cascades’ phenomenon in enhancing structural heterogeneity and biodiversity in biogenic habitats in remote and difficult-to-access areas is little known. In this work, we provide the first insight by exploring epibiosis across remote habitats that often support high levels of biodiversity, i.e., cold-water coral reefs and marine caves. The present study acts as a stepping-stone for the further exploration of ‘habitat cascades’ in habitats where scientific knowledge about this phenomenon is limited.
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26
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Pereira F, Piló D, Carvalho AN, Rufino M, Moura P, Vasconcelos P, Gaspar MB. Epibiont assemblages on limpet shells: Biodiversity drivers in intertidal rocky shores. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 174:105556. [PMID: 35026724 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Limpet shells can harbour a high diversity of species. Individuals of four limpet species (Patella depressa, Patella ulyssiponensis, Patella vulgata and Siphonaria pectinata) were collected monthly during one year in southern Portugal. Epibiont organisms were identified, counted and the percentage cover of facilitator taxa was also recorded. A total of 86 taxa were identified with abundance reaching 674 epibionts on a single basibiont shell. P. ulyssiponensis showed the highest epibiont species diversity and richness while P. depressa and P. vulgata showed similar diversity and richness. P. depressa had a more even epibiotic community mainly due to higher densities of Chthamalus sp. Overall, basibiont species was the key factor determining the epibiotic community, followed by month/season and erect algae. The presence of erect algae potentiated the epibionts diversity on limpet shells, whereas the occurrence of barnacles tended to decrease it and the presence of crustose algae had no significant effect on epibionts diversity. These findings shed further light on the biological and ecological complex relationships among keystone species inhabiting intertidal rocky shores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Pereira
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Avenida 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-305, Olhão, Portugal.
| | - David Piló
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Avenida 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-305, Olhão, Portugal; Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - André N Carvalho
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Avenida 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-305, Olhão, Portugal
| | - Marta Rufino
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal; Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho Nº 6, 1495-006, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula Moura
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Avenida 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-305, Olhão, Portugal
| | - Paulo Vasconcelos
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Avenida 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-305, Olhão, Portugal
| | - Miguel B Gaspar
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Avenida 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-305, Olhão, Portugal; Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
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27
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Thomsen MS, Altieri AH, Angelini C, Bishop MJ, Bulleri F, Farhan R, Frühling VMM, Gribben PE, Harrison SB, He Q, Klinghardt M, Langeneck J, Lanham BS, Mondardini L, Mulders Y, Oleksyn S, Ramus AP, Schiel DR, Schneider T, Siciliano A, Silliman BR, Smale DA, South PM, Wernberg T, Zhang S, Zotz G. Heterogeneity within and among co-occurring foundation species increases biodiversity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:581. [PMID: 35102155 PMCID: PMC8803935 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28194-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat heterogeneity is considered a primary causal driver underpinning patterns of diversity, yet the universal role of heterogeneity in structuring biodiversity is unclear due to a lack of coordinated experiments testing its effects across geographic scales and habitat types. Furthermore, key species interactions that can enhance heterogeneity, such as facilitation cascades of foundation species, have been largely overlooked in general biodiversity models. Here, we performed 22 geographically distributed experiments in different ecosystems and biogeographical regions to assess the extent to which variation in biodiversity is explained by three axes of habitat heterogeneity: the amount of habitat, its morphological complexity, and capacity to provide ecological resources (e.g. food) within and between co-occurring foundation species. We show that positive and additive effects across the three axes of heterogeneity are common, providing a compelling mechanistic insight into the universal importance of habitat heterogeneity in promoting biodiversity via cascades of facilitative interactions. Because many aspects of habitat heterogeneity can be controlled through restoration and management interventions, our findings are directly relevant to biodiversity conservation. Species interactions that can enhance habitat heterogeneity such as facilitation cascades of foundation species have been overlooked in biodiversity models. This study conducted 22 geographically distributed experiments in different ecosystems and biogeographical regions to assess the extent to which biodiversity is explained by three axes of habitat heterogeneity in facilitation cascades.
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28
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Miller ZR, Allesina S. Metapopulations with habitat modification. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2109896118. [PMID: 34857638 PMCID: PMC8670473 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109896118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Across the tree of life, organisms modify their local environment, rendering it more or less hospitable for other species. Despite the ubiquity of these processes, simple models that can be used to develop intuitions about the consequences of widespread habitat modification are lacking. Here, we extend the classic Levins metapopulation model to a setting where each of n species can colonize patches connected by dispersal, and when patches are vacated via local extinction, they retain a "memory" of the previous occupant-modeling habitat modification. While this model can exhibit a wide range of dynamics, we draw several overarching conclusions about the effects of modification and memory. In particular, we find that any number of species may potentially coexist, provided that each is at a disadvantage when colonizing patches vacated by a conspecific. This notion is made precise through a quantitative stability condition, which provides a way to unify and formalize existing conceptual models. We also show that when patch memory facilitates coexistence, it generically induces a positive relationship between diversity and robustness (tolerance of disturbance). Our simple model provides a portable, tractable framework for studying systems where species modify and react to a shared landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R Miller
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637;
| | - Stefano Allesina
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
- Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
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29
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Metabarcoding, direct stomach observation and stable isotope analysis reveal a highly diverse diet for the invasive green crab in Atlantic Patagonia. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02659-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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30
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Hensel MJS, Silliman BR, van de Koppel J, Hensel E, Sharp SJ, Crotty SM, Byrnes JEK. A large invasive consumer reduces coastal ecosystem resilience by disabling positive species interactions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6290. [PMID: 34725328 PMCID: PMC8560935 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26504-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive consumers can cause extensive ecological damage to native communities but effects on ecosystem resilience are less understood. Here, we use drone surveys, manipulative experiments, and mathematical models to show how feral hogs reduce resilience in southeastern US salt marshes by dismantling an essential marsh cordgrass-ribbed mussel mutualism. Mussels usually double plant growth and enhance marsh resilience to extreme drought but, when hogs invade, switch from being essential for plant survival to a liability; hogs selectively forage in mussel-rich areas leading to a 50% reduction in plant biomass and slower post-drought recovery rate. Hogs increase habitat fragmentation across landscapes by maintaining large, disturbed areas through trampling of cordgrass during targeted mussel consumption. Experiments and climate-disturbance recovery models show trampling alone slows marsh recovery by 3x while focused mussel predation creates marshes that may never recover from large-scale disturbances without hog eradication. Our work highlights that an invasive consumer can reshape ecosystems not just via competition and predation, but by disrupting key, positive species interactions that underlie resilience to climatic disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc J. S. Hensel
- grid.266685.90000 0004 0386 3207Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Nicholas School for the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Brian R. Silliman
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Nicholas School for the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Johan van de Koppel
- grid.5477.10000000120346234NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands ,grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Enie Hensel
- grid.40803.3f0000 0001 2173 6074Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Sean J. Sharp
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Sinead M. Crotty
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Jarrett E. K. Byrnes
- grid.266685.90000 0004 0386 3207Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA USA
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31
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Unravelling facilitation among introduced species, a mechanistic approach. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02592-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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32
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Rivaes RP, Feio MJ, Almeida SFP, Vieira C, Calapez AR, Mortágua A, Gebler D, Lozanovska I, Aguiar FC. Multi-biologic group analysis for an ecosystem response to longitudinal river regulation gradients. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 767:144327. [PMID: 33422957 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This work assesses the effects of river regulation on the diversity of different instream and riparian biological communities along a relieve gradient of disturbance in regulated rivers. Two case studies in Portugal were used, with different river regulation typology (downstream of run-of-river and reservoir dams), where regulated and free-flowing river stretches were surveyed for riparian vegetation, macrophytes, bryophytes, macroalgae, diatoms and macroinvertebrates. The assessment of the regulation effects on biological communities was approached by both biological and functional diversity analysis. Results of this investigation endorse river regulation as a major factor differentiating fluvial biological communities through an artificial environmental filtering that governs species assemblages by accentuating species traits related to river regulation tolerance. Communities' response to regulation gradient seem to be similar and insensitive to river regulation typology. Biological communities respond to this regulation gradient with different sensibilities and rates of response, with riparian vegetation and macroinvertebrates being the most responsive to river regulation and its gradient. Richness appears to be the best indicator for general fluvial ecological quality facing river regulation. Nevertheless, there are high correlations between the biological and functional diversity indices of different biological groups, which denotes biological connections indicative of a cascade of effects leading to an indirect influence of river regulation even on non-responsive facets of communities' biological and functional diversities. These results highlight the necessary holistic perspective of the fluvial system when assessing the effects of river regulation and the proposal of restoration measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Pedro Rivaes
- Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Feio
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Salomé F P Almeida
- Department of Biology, GeoBioTec - GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Vieira
- Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade do Porto (MHNC-UP; UPorto/PRISC), Praça Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R Calapez
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Andreia Mortágua
- Department of Biology, GeoBioTec - GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniel Gebler
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
| | - Ivana Lozanovska
- Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Francisca C Aguiar
- Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
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Tummon Flynn P, McCarvill K, Lynn KD, Quijón PA. The positive effect of coexisting ecosystem engineers: a unique seaweed-mussel association provides refuge for native mud crabs against a non-indigenous predator. PeerJ 2021; 8:e10540. [PMID: 33391877 PMCID: PMC7759126 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In marine sedimentary bottoms, mussels and macroalgae have long been recognized as important autogenic engineers that create habitat and modify abiotic conditions. The structural complexity added by bivalves and macroalgae may also mediate intraguild predation amongst marine decapod crustaceans. While spatial distributions of these ecosystem engineers frequently overlap, there is limited understanding of compounded effects when more than one engineer is present. Here we demonstrate that the coexistence of two ecosystem engineers may create habitat valuable for the survival of a small native species, the Atlantic mud crab (Panopeus herbstii), in the presence of the invasive green crab (Carcinus maenas). Using laboratory and field habitat mimics, we measured mud crab survival rates as a proxy for refuge quality. We compared the refuge provided by a unique association between shells of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and the giant strain of Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) to that provided by bare substrate, and by each engineer alone. These experiments revealed that the association of giant Irish moss with blue mussel shells positively and non-additively increased mud crab survival compared to the other less complex habitat mimics. In contrast, parallel experiments revealed that high habitat complexity was less important for young green crabs to survive predation from large conspecifics. These results suggest that the impact of ecosystem engineers on trophic dynamics should be considered in a broader, whole-community context encompassing multiple habitat-forming species present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Tummon Flynn
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Keegan McCarvill
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - K Devon Lynn
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Pedro A Quijón
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
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Albertson LK, MacDonald MJ, Tumolo BB, Briggs MA, Maguire Z, Quinn S, Sanchez-Ruiz JA, Veneros J, Burkle LA. Uncovering patterns of freshwater positive interactions using meta-analysis: Identifying the roles of common participants, invasive species and environmental context. Ecol Lett 2020; 24:594-607. [PMID: 33368953 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Positive interactions are sensitive to human activities, necessitating synthetic approaches to elucidate broad patterns and predict future changes if these interactions are altered or lost. General understanding of freshwater positive interactions has been far outpaced by knowledge of these important relationships in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. We conducted a global meta-analysis to evaluate the magnitude of positive interactions across freshwater habitats. In 340 studies, we found substantial positive effects, with facilitators increasing beneficiaries by, on average, 81% across all taxa and response variables. Mollusks in particular were commonly studied as both facilitators and beneficiaries. Amphibians were one group benefiting the most from positive interactions, yet few studies investigated amphibians. Invasive facilitators had stronger positive effects on beneficiaries than non-invasive facilitators. We compared positive effects between high- and low-stress conditions and found no difference in the magnitude of benefit in the subset of studies that manipulated stressors. Future areas of research include understudied facilitators and beneficiaries, the stress gradient hypothesis, patterns across space or time and the influence of declining taxa whose elimination would jeopardise fragile positive interaction networks. Freshwater positive interactions occur among a wide range of taxa, influence populations, communities and ecosystem processes and deserve further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey K Albertson
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Michael J MacDonald
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Benjamin B Tumolo
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Michelle A Briggs
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Zachary Maguire
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Sierra Quinn
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Jose A Sanchez-Ruiz
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Jaris Veneros
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Laura A Burkle
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
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Cappelatti L, Mauffrey ARL, Griffin JN. Functional diversity of habitat formers declines scale-dependently across an environmental stress gradient. Oecologia 2020; 194:135-149. [PMID: 32895733 PMCID: PMC7561580 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04746-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Marine habitat formers such as seaweeds and corals are lynchpins of coastal ecosystems, but their functional diversity and how it varies with scale and context remains poorly studied. Here, we investigate the functional diversity of seaweed assemblages across the rocky intertidal stress gradient at large (zones) and small (quadrat) scales. We quantified complementary metrics of emergent group richness, functional richness (functional space occupied) and functional dispersion (trait complementarity of dominant species). With increasing shore height, under species loss and turnover, responses of functional diversity were scale- and metric-dependent. At the large scale, functional richness contracted while—notwithstanding a decline in redundancy—emergent group richness and functional dispersion were both invariant. At the small scale, all measures declined, with the strongest responses evident for functional and emergent group richness. Comparisons of observed versus expected values based on null models revealed that functional richness and dispersion were greater than expected in the low shore but converged with expected values higher on the shore. These results show that functional diversity of assemblages of marine habitat formers can be especially responsive to environmental stress gradients at small scales and for richness measures. Furthermore, niche-based processes at the small—neighbourhood—scale can favour co-occurrence of functionally distinctive species under low, but not high, stress, magnifying differences in functional diversity across environmental gradients. As assemblages of marine habitat formers face accelerating environmental change, further studies examining multiple aspects of functional diversity are needed to elucidate patterns, processes, and ecosystem consequences of community (dis-)assembly across diverse groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cappelatti
- Biosciences Department, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
| | - Alizée R L Mauffrey
- Biosciences Department, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - John N Griffin
- Biosciences Department, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
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Aguilera MA, Valdivia N, Broitman BR, Jenkins SR, Navarrete SA. Novel co-occurrence of functionally redundant consumers induced by range expansion alters community structure. Ecology 2020; 101:e03150. [PMID: 32730670 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Ongoing climate change is shifting the geographic distributions of some species, potentially imposing rapid changes in local community structure and ecosystem functioning. Besides changes in population-level interspecific interactions, such range shifts may also cause changes in functional structure within the host assemblages, which can result in losses or gains in ecosystem functions. Because consumer-resource dynamics are central to community regulation, functional reorganization driven by introduction of new consumer species can have large consequences on ecosystem functions. Here we experimentally examine the extent to which the recent poleward range expansion of the intertidal grazer limpet Scurria viridula along the coast of Chile has altered the role of the resident congeneric limpet S. zebrina, and whether the net collective impacts, and functional structure, of the entire herbivore guild have been modified by the introduction of this new member. We examined the functional role of Scurria species in controlling ephemeral algal cover, bare rock availability, and species richness and diversity, and compared the effects in the region of range overlap against their respective "native" abutted ranges. Experiments showed depression of per capita effects of the range-expanded species within the region of overlap, suggesting environmental conditions negatively affect individual performance. In contrast, effects of S. zebrina were commonly invariant at its range edge. When comparing single species versus polycultures, effects on bare rock cover were altered by the presence of the other Scurria species, suggesting competition between Scurria species. Importantly, although the magnitude of S. viridula effects at the range overlap was reduced, its addition to the herbivore guild seems to complement and intensify the role of the guild in reducing green algal cover, species richness and increasing bare space provision. Our study thus highlights that range expansion of an herbivore can modify the functional guild structure in the recipient community. It also highlights the complexity of predicting how functional structure may change in the face of natural or human-induced range expansions. There is a need for more field-based examination of regional functional compensation, complementarity, or inhibition before we can construct a conceptual framework to anticipate the consequences of species range expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés A Aguilera
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo, 1281, Coquimbo, Chile.,Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Ossandón 877, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Nelson Valdivia
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, 5110236, Chile.,Centro FONDAP de Investigación de Dinámicas de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Chile
| | - Bernardo R Broitman
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Viña de Mar, Chile
| | - Stuart R Jenkins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Sergio A Navarrete
- Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas, Las Cruces, Center for Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago, Chile
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von Thenen M, Maar M, Hansen HS, Friedland R, Schiele KS. Applying a combined geospatial and farm scale model to identify suitable locations for mussel farming. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 156:111254. [PMID: 32510396 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mussel farming has increasingly come into focus as a potential mitigation measure for fish farms and eutrophication, in addition to being a food source. This study presents a GIS-based suitability analysis combined with a farm scale model to identify appropriate mussel farming sites. The sites are investigated in terms of potential mussel harvest, nutrient removal, and effects on water transparency. The model is applied to the south-western Baltic Sea. The identified suitable area is about 5-8% of the case study extent. The model shows that elevated chlorophyll levels stimulate mussel growth and that upon mussel harvest, nutrients can be removed. A single mussel farm cannot compensate for all nutrients emitted by a fish farm, but it can increase water transparency up to at least 200 m from the farm. Potential nutrient removal and water transparency increases are essential criteria for site selection in eutrophic seas, such as the Baltic Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam von Thenen
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany; Aalborg University, A.C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Marie Maar
- Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | | | - René Friedland
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Kerstin S Schiele
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany.
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38
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Ecosystem Engineers in the World Coasts: Case Studies and Conceptual Linkages. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12060243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Research on physical ecosystem engineering—i.e., the structural modification of environments by organisms—has flourished during the last two decades. At present, the importance of physical ecosystem engineers for the biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems is well recognized by scientists. This Special Issue contains fifteen papers that illustrate the diversity of physical ecosystem engineering processes that occur in the world coastal habitats—from coastal dunes to the shallow subtidal zone. It includes 2 reviews comparing ecosystem engineering attributes and impacts across taxa and 13 case studies that inform our general understanding of the variation in engineering impacts, compound engineering effects, novel engineering interactions, and engineered structural legacies.
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Brachyuran Crabs (Decapoda) Associated with Rhodolith Beds: Spatio-Temporal Variability at Gran Canaria Island. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12060223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Crustaceans are a key component of the fauna living in rhodoliths, but patterns in their distribution and abundance remain largely unknown. This paper assessed spatio-temporal variability of Brachyura associated with rhodoliths. A seasonal study was conducted at three depth layers (18, 25, and 40 m), throughout two years (December 2015 to October 2017) at Gran Canaria Island (eastern Atlantic Ocean). A total of 765 crabs belonging to 10 species were collected. A larger abundance and richness of crabs at 25 m correlated with a larger biomass of epiphytic algae attached to rhodoliths. A seasonal pattern was also observed, where a higher richness of crabs occurred in the summer. The Xanthid crab, Nanocassiope melanodactylus, dominated the assemblage (83%); juveniles of this species were more abundant in deeper waters (40 m), while adults were more abundant on the shallower depth layers (18 m and 25 m). The species Pilmunus hirtellus was restricted to 25 m. Nevertheless, Pisa carinimana and Achaeus cranchii did not show any spatio-temporal pattern. In summary, this study demonstrated that two conspicuous crabs, N. melanodactylus and P. hirtellus, associated with rhodolith beds are bathymetrically segregated.
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40
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Evans P, Crofts AL, Brown CD. Biotic filtering of northern temperate tree seedling emergence in beyond‐range field experiments. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Piers Evans
- Department of Geography Memorial University 230 Elizabeth Avenue St. John’s Newfoundland and LabradorA1B 3X9Canada
| | - Anna L. Crofts
- Department of Geography Memorial University 230 Elizabeth Avenue St. John’s Newfoundland and LabradorA1B 3X9Canada
| | - Carissa D. Brown
- Department of Geography Memorial University 230 Elizabeth Avenue St. John’s Newfoundland and LabradorA1B 3X9Canada
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41
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Besterman AF, Karpanty SM, Pace ML. Impact of exotic macroalga on shorebirds varies with foraging specialization and spatial scale. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231337. [PMID: 32275732 PMCID: PMC7147735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exotic species may increase or decrease native biodiversity. However, effects of exotic species are often mixed; and indirect pathways and compensatory changes can mask effects. Context-specific assessments of the indirect impacts of exotic species are also needed across multiple spatial scales. Agarophyton vermiculophyllum (previously Gracilaria vermiculophylla), an exotic, invasive macroalga, has established throughout the western hemisphere with reported positive or neutral impacts on biodiversity. Shorebirds are an important group for conservation in areas invaded by A. vermiculophyllum. We assess the impacts of this invader on shorebirds by measuring behavior and habitat selection at spatial scales ranging from algal patches to the entire study region. Birds were considered either flexible-foragers that used diverse foraging techniques, or specialized-foragers that employed fewer, more specialized foraging techniques. Responses were scale dependent, with patterns varying between spatial scales, and between behavior and habitat selection. However, a general pattern of habitat selection emerged wherein flexible-foraging shorebirds preferred A. vermiculophyllum habitat, and for specialized-foragers, habitat selection of A. vermiculophyllum was mixed. Meanwhile, flexible-foraging birds tended to neutrally use or avoid uninvaded habitat, and specialized-foraging birds mostly preferred uninvaded habitat. Shorebird behavioral response was less clear; with flexible-foragers spending less time on bare sediment than expected, the only significant response. Shorebird response to A. vermiculophyllum differed by foraging mode; likely because flexible, opportunistic species more readily use invaded habitat. Increases in A. vermiculophyllum could result in functional homogenization if the bare habitat preferred by specialized-foragers is reduced too greatly. We hypothesize the effect of scale is driven by differences among tidal flats. Thus, tidal flat properties such as sediment grain size and microtopography would determine whether foraging from A. vermiculophyllum was optimal for a shorebird. Specialization and spatial scale are important when assessing the biodiversity conservation impacts of invasive A. vermiculophyllum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice F. Besterman
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Sarah M. Karpanty
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Pace
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
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Gorman D, Horta P, Flores AAV, Turra A, Berchez FADS, Batista MB, Lopes Filho ES, Melo MS, Ignacio BL, Carneiro IM, Villaça RC, Széchy MTM. Decadal losses of canopy-forming algae along the warm temperate coastline of Brazil. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:1446-1457. [PMID: 31833116 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The loss of canopy-forming seaweeds from urbanized coasts has intensified in response to warming seas and non-climatic pressures such as population growth and declining water quality. Surprisingly, there has been little information on the extent of historical losses in the South-western Atlantic, which limits our ability to place this large marine ecosystem in a global context. Here, we use meta-analysis to examine long-term (1969-2017) changes to the cover and biomass of Sargassum spp. and structurally simple algal turfs along more than 1,000 kilometres of Brazil's warm temperate coastline. Analysis revealed major declines in canopy cover that were independent of season (i.e., displaying similar trends for both summer and winter) but varied with coastal environmental setting, whereby sheltered bays experienced greater losses than coastal locations. On average, covers of Sargassum spp. declined by 2.6% per year, to show overall losses of 52% since records began (ranging from 20% to 89%). This contrasted with increases in the cover of filamentous turfs (24% over the last 27 years) which are known to proliferate along human-impacted coasts. To test the relative influence of climatic versus non-climatic factors as drivers of this apparent canopy-to-turf shift, we examined how well regional warming trends (decadal changes to sea surface temperature) and local proxies of coastal urbanization (population density, thermal pollution, turbidity and nutrient inputs) were able to predict the changes in seaweed communities. Our results revealed that the most pronounced canopy losses over the past 50 years were at sites exhibiting the greatest degree of coastal warming, the highest population growth and those located in semi-enclosed sheltered bays. These findings contribute knowledge on the drivers of canopy loss in the South-western Atlantic and join with global efforts to understand and mitigate declines of marine keystone species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gorman
- Center for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Paulo Horta
- Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Augusto A V Flores
- Center for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Alexander Turra
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Manuela B Batista
- Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana S Melo
- Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ivan M Carneiro
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto C Villaça
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa M Széchy
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Boyé A, Thiébaut É, Grall J, Legendre P, Broudin C, Houbin C, Le Garrec V, Maguer M, Droual G, Gauthier O. Trait‐based approach to monitoring marine benthic data along 500 km of coastline. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Boyé
- CNRS IRD Ifremer LEMAR Univ Brest Plouzane France
- Département de Sciences Biologiques Université de Montréal Montréal QC Canada
| | - Éric Thiébaut
- Laboratoire Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin UMR 7144 CNRS Station Biologique de Roscoff Sorbonne Université Roscoff Cedex France
| | - Jacques Grall
- CNRS IRD Ifremer LEMAR Univ Brest Plouzane France
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Pierre Legendre
- Département de Sciences Biologiques Université de Montréal Montréal QC Canada
| | - Caroline Broudin
- CNRS Station Biologique de Roscoff FR 2424 Sorbonne Université Roscoff France
| | - Céline Houbin
- CNRS Station Biologique de Roscoff FR 2424 Sorbonne Université Roscoff France
| | - Vincent Le Garrec
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Marion Maguer
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Gabin Droual
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Olivier Gauthier
- CNRS IRD Ifremer LEMAR Univ Brest Plouzane France
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
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Sweeney OF, Turnbull J, Jones M, Letnic M, Newsome TM, Sharp A. An Australian perspective on rewilding. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2019; 33:812-820. [PMID: 30693968 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rewilding is increasingly recognized as a conservation tool but is often context specific, which inhibits broad application. Rewilding in Australia seeks to enhance ecosystem function and promote self-sustaining ecosystems. An absence of large-bodied native herbivores means trophic rewilding in mainland Australia has focused on the restoration of functions provided by apex predators and small mammals. Because of the pervasive influence of introduced mesopredators, predator-proof fences, and establishment of populations on predator-free islands are common rewilding approaches. This sets Australian rewilding apart from most jurisdictions and provides globally relevant insights but presents challenges to restoring function to broader landscapes. Passive rewilding is of limited utility in arid zones. Although increasing habitat extent and quality in mesic coastal areas may work, it will likely be necessary to undertake active management. Because much of Australia's population is in urban areas, rewilding efforts must include urban areas to maximize effectiveness. Thus rewilding is not synonymous with wilderness and can occur over multiple scales. Rewilding efforts must recognize human effects on other species and benefit both nature and humans. Rewilding in Australia requires development of a shared vision and strategy and proof-of-concept projects to demonstrate the benefits. The repackaging of existing conservation activities as rewilding may confuse and undermine the success of rewilding programs and should be avoided. As elsewhere, rewilding in Australia should be viewed as an important conservation tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oisín F Sweeney
- National Parks Association of New South Wales, Pyrmont, NSW, 2009, Australia
| | - John Turnbull
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Mike Letnic
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Thomas M Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Andy Sharp
- Natural Resources Northern and Yorke, Clare, SA, 5453, Australia
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45
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Coleman MA, Goold HD. Harnessing synthetic biology for kelp forest conservation 1. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2019; 55:745-751. [PMID: 31152453 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and climatic change is outpacing the ability of organisms to adapt, at an unprecedented level, resulting in range contractions and global ecosystem shifts to novel states. At the same time, scientific advances continue to accelerate, providing never-before imagined solutions to current and emerging environmental problems. Synthetic biology, the creation of novel and engineered genetic variation, is perhaps the fastest developing and transformative scientific field. Its application to solve extant and emerging environmental problems is vast, at times controversial, and technological advances have outpaced the social, ethical, and practical considerations of its use. Here, we discuss the potential direct and indirect applications of synthetic biology to kelp forest conservation. Rather than advocate or oppose its use, we identify where and when it may play a role in halting or reversing global kelp loss and discuss challenges and identify pathways of research needed to bridge the gap between technological advances and organismal biology and ecology. There is a pressing need for prompt collaboration and dialogue among synthetic biologists, ecologists, and conservationists to identify opportunities for use and ensure that extant research directions are set on trajectories to allow these currently disparate fields to converge toward practical environmental solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda A Coleman
- Department of Primary Industries, NSW Fisheries, National Marine Science Centre, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, 2450, Australia
- Southern Cross University, National Marine Science Centre, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, 2450, Australia
- University of Western Australia Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Hugh D Goold
- Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Woodbridge Road, Menangle, New South Wales, 2568, Australia
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
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Communities and Attachment Networks Associated with Primary, Secondary and Alternative Foundation Species; A Case Study of Stressed and Disturbed Stands of Southern Bull Kelp. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Southern bull kelps (Durvillaea spp., Fucales) are ‘primary’ foundation species that control community structures and ecosystem functions on temperate wave-exposed rocky reefs. However, these large foundation species are threatened by disturbances and stressors, including invasive species, sedimentation and heatwaves. It is unknown whether ‘alternative’ foundation species can replace lost southern bull kelps and its associated communities and networks. We compared community structure (by quantifying abundances of different species) and attachment-interaction networks (by quantifying which species were attached to other species) among plots dominated by Durvillaea spp. and plots where Durvillaea spp. were lost either through long-term repeated experimental removals or by recent stress from a marine heatwave. Long-term experimental removal plots were dominated by ‘alternative’ foundation species, the canopy-forming Cystophora spp. (Fucales), whereas the recent heatwave stressed plots were dominated by the invasive kelp Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales). A network analysis of attachment interactions showed that communities differed among plots dominated by either Durvillaea spp., Cystophora spp. or U. pinnatifida, with different relationships between the primary, or alternative, foundation species and attached epiphytic ‘secondary’ foundation species. For example, native Cystophora spp. were more important as hosts for secondary foundation species compared to Durvillaea spp. and U. pinnatifida. Instead, Durvillaea spp. facilitated encrusting algae, which in turn provided habitat for gastropods. We conclude that (a) repeated disturbances and strong stressors can reveal ecological differences between primary and alternative foundation species, (b) analyses of abundances and attachment-networks are supplementary methods to identify linkages between primary, alternative and secondary foundation species, and (c) interspersed habitats dominated by different types of foundation species increase system-level biodiversity by supporting different species-abundance patterns and species-attachment networks.
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Ellison AM. Foundation Species, Non-trophic Interactions, and the Value of Being Common. iScience 2019; 13:254-268. [PMID: 30870783 PMCID: PMC6416672 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Foundation species define ecosystems, control the biological diversity of associated species, modulate critical ecosystem processes, and often have important cultural values and resonance. This review summarizes current understanding of the characteristics and traits of foundation species and how to distinguish them from other “important” species in ecological systems (e.g., keystone, dominant, and core species); illustrates how analysis of the structure and function of ecological networks can be improved and enriched by explicit incorporation of foundation species and their non-trophic interactions; discusses the importance of pro-active identification and management of foundation species as a cost-effective and efficient method of sustaining valuable ecosystem processes and services and securing populations of associated rare, threatened, or endangered species; and suggests broader engagement of citizen-scientists and non-specialists in the identification and study of foundation species and their biological and cultural values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Ellison
- Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA 01366, USA.
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Abstract
Invertebrate diversity can be a key driver of ecosystem functioning, yet understanding what factors influence local biodiversity remains uncertain. In many marine and terrestrial systems, facilitation cascades where primary foundation and/or autogenic ecosystem engineering species promote the settlement and survival of a secondary foundation/engineering species have been shown to enhance local biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We experimentally tested if a facilitation cascade occurs among eelgrass (Zostera marina), pen clams (Atrina rigida), and community diversity in temperate seagrass beds in North Carolina, U.S.A., and if this sequence of direct positive interactions created feedbacks that affected various metrics of seagrass ecosystem function and structure. Using a combination of surveys and transplant experiments, we found that pen clam density and survivorship was significantly greater in seagrass beds, indicating that eelgrass facilitates pen clams. Pen clams in turn enhanced local diversity and increased both the abundance and species richness of organisms (specifically, macroalgae and fouling invertebrate fauna)—the effect of which scaled with increasing clam density. However, we failed to detect an impact of pen clams on other seagrass functions and hypothesize that functioning may more likely be enhanced in scenarios where secondary foundation species specifically increase the diversity of key functional groups such as epiphyte grazers and/or when bivalves are infaunal rather than epifaunal. Our findings add to the growing amount of literature that demonstrates that secondary foundation species are important drivers of local biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Further experimentation is needed that directly examines (i) the role of functional versus overall diversity on seagrass functions and (ii) the relative importance of life-history strategy in determining when and where engineering bivalves increase biodiversity and/or functioning of seagrass beds.
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Quintano E, Celis-Plá PSM, Martínez B, Díez I, Muguerza N, Figueroa FL, Gorostiaga JM. Ecophysiological responses of a threatened red alga to increased irradiance in an in situ transplant experiment. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 144:166-177. [PMID: 30683559 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The red alga Gelidium corneum is a dominant foundation species in the south-eastern Bay of Biscay, where a decline in its populations has been documented in the few last decades. We investigated the ecophysiological responses of G. corneum to different light conditions by means of an in situ transplant experiment. We found that the stress response measured by physiological and biochemical approaches was higher in G. corneum at higher irradiance levels, for both transplanted and control specimens, than under lower light intensities. In the former case the specimens showed a decrease in maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax), photosynthetic efficiency (αETR), photosynthetic pigment contents, nitrogen content and thallus length, whereas the C:N ratio, MAAs and bleaching cover increased. In general terms, these responses were more evident in the apical parts of the thallus than in middle ones. Our results suggest that high light stress at depths of 3 m triggered photobiological changes in G. corneum, involving ineffective photoprotection and the occurrence of chronic photoinhibition. Therefore, considering the upward trend in summer mean surface solar radiation in the study area since the 80s, high light conditions may have played a role in the declines observed in G. corneum beds from the south-eastern Bay of Biscay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endika Quintano
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Paula S M Celis-Plá
- Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Research, Centre of Advanced Studies, University of Playa Ancha, Calle Traslaviña 450, 2581782, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - Brezo Martínez
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Isabel Díez
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Nahiara Muguerza
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Félix L Figueroa
- Biodiversity and Conservation Unit, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933, Móstoles, Spain
| | - José M Gorostiaga
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
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Algal Epibionts as Co-Engineers in Mussel Beds: Effects on Abiotic Conditions and Mobile Interstitial Invertebrates. DIVERSITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mussels and macroalgae have long been recognized as physical ecosystem engineers that modulate abiotic conditions and resources and affect the composition of rocky shore assemblages. Their spatial distributions in the intertidal zone frequently overlap, as many algal species thrive as epibionts on mussel beds. Nonetheless, their potential for combined engineering effects has not been addressed to date. Here we illustrate that Porphyra sp.—a desiccation-resistant macroalga that develops mostly epiphytically onto mussel beds—affects temperature, desiccation levels, and mobile interstitial invertebrates in mussel beds. Specifically, we observed that Porphyra cover (a) reduced temperature at the surface of the mussel bed but not at their base, (b) reduced desiccation both at the surface and base of the mussel bed and, (c) increased the densities of an abundant interstitial species—the amphipod Hyale grandicornis—in several study sites/dates. Additionally, we found that the positive responses of these grazing amphipods to Porphyra were driven by physical habitat modification (engineering) rather than food availability. This suggests that co-engineering by Porphyra and mussels generates abiotic states and focal species responses that would not be predictable from their individual effects. We expect that increased appreciation of co-engineering aids our understanding of complex ecological dynamics.
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