Community development on subtidal temperate reefs: the influences of wave energy and the stochastic recruitment of a dominant kelp
Community development on subtidal temperate reefs: the influences of wave energy and the stochastic recruitment of a dominant kelp
Patterns of community development on subtidal rocky reefs in Marmion Lagoon, southwest Australia, were investigated with a settlement panel experiment. We tested the hypothesis that community development would differ between outer and inner reefs lines, because exposure to swell and wave energy was significantly greater on outer reefs. Following a 14-month deployment, we recorded pronounced variability between panels and sites, but did not detect any effect of wave exposure on the structure of panel assemblages. Subsequent data exploration suggested the importance of the presence of kelp recruits (Ecklonia radiata) in structuring the overall assemblage. Panel assemblages with kelp recruits were significantly different in structure to those without, principally because of greater space coverage of encrusting coralline algae and less coverage of red turfing algae, spirorbids, and bryozoans. Mature E. radiata act as ecosystem engineers in subtidal rocky reefs in southwest Australia. Our results suggested the importance of young, recruiting kelps in determining patterns of early community development on newly available hard substrata.
1757-1766
Smale, Dan A.
19528a3a-f66c-474d-ae13-c6405b8014ab
Wernberg, Thomas
bd368108-a7e1-4d4b-b4c2-6102aae7a7ff
Vance, Thomas
ade54e08-f50f-49bd-97f6-45a2520b724e
August 2011
Smale, Dan A.
19528a3a-f66c-474d-ae13-c6405b8014ab
Wernberg, Thomas
bd368108-a7e1-4d4b-b4c2-6102aae7a7ff
Vance, Thomas
ade54e08-f50f-49bd-97f6-45a2520b724e
Smale, Dan A., Wernberg, Thomas and Vance, Thomas
(2011)
Community development on subtidal temperate reefs: the influences of wave energy and the stochastic recruitment of a dominant kelp.
Marine Biology, 158 (8), .
(doi:10.1007/s00227-011-1689-4).
Abstract
Patterns of community development on subtidal rocky reefs in Marmion Lagoon, southwest Australia, were investigated with a settlement panel experiment. We tested the hypothesis that community development would differ between outer and inner reefs lines, because exposure to swell and wave energy was significantly greater on outer reefs. Following a 14-month deployment, we recorded pronounced variability between panels and sites, but did not detect any effect of wave exposure on the structure of panel assemblages. Subsequent data exploration suggested the importance of the presence of kelp recruits (Ecklonia radiata) in structuring the overall assemblage. Panel assemblages with kelp recruits were significantly different in structure to those without, principally because of greater space coverage of encrusting coralline algae and less coverage of red turfing algae, spirorbids, and bryozoans. Mature E. radiata act as ecosystem engineers in subtidal rocky reefs in southwest Australia. Our results suggested the importance of young, recruiting kelps in determining patterns of early community development on newly available hard substrata.
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Published date: August 2011
Organisations:
Ocean Biochemistry & Ecosystems
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Local EPrints ID: 348299
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/348299
ISSN: 0025-3162
PURE UUID: e2d2648d-76f1-4292-84d4-33fb3015ad95
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Date deposited: 12 Feb 2013 11:54
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 12:57
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Author:
Dan A. Smale
Author:
Thomas Wernberg
Author:
Thomas Vance
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