Variation in disturbance to a foundation species structures the dynamics of a benthic reef community

Ecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Raine Detmer ◽  
Robert J. Miller ◽  
Daniel C. Reed ◽  
Tom W. Bell ◽  
Adrian C. Stier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foundation Species ◽  
Reef Community

scholarly journals Variation in Disturbance to a Foundation Species Structures the Dynamics of a Benthic Reef Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Autumn Raine Detmer ◽  
Robert J. Miller ◽  
Daniel C. Reed ◽  
Tom W. Bell ◽  
Adrian C. Stier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foundation Species ◽  
Reef Community

scholarly journals Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera , increases faunal diversity through physical engineering

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1874) ◽  
pp. 20172571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Miller ◽  
Kevin D. Lafferty ◽  
Thomas Lamy ◽  
Li Kui ◽  
Andrew Rassweiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Foundation Species ◽  
Kelp Forests ◽  
Giant Kelp ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Reef Community ◽  
Sessile Invertebrates

Foundation species define the ecosystems they live in, but ecologists have often characterized dominant plants as foundational without supporting evidence. Giant kelp has long been considered a marine foundation species due to its complex structure and high productivity; however, there is little quantitative evidence to evaluate this. Here, we apply structural equation modelling to a 15-year time series of reef community data to evaluate how giant kelp affects the reef community. Although species richness was positively associated with giant kelp biomass, most direct paths did not involve giant kelp. Instead, the foundational qualities of giant kelp were driven mostly by indirect effects attributed to its dominant physical structure and associated engineering influence on the ecosystem, rather than by its use as food by invertebrates and fishes. Giant kelp structure has indirect effects because it shades out understorey algae that compete with sessile invertebrates. When released from competition, sessile species in turn increase the diversity of mobile predators. Sea urchin grazing effects could have been misinterpreted as kelp effects, because sea urchins can overgraze giant kelp, understorey algae and sessile invertebrates alike. Our results confirm the high diversity and biomass associated with kelp forests, but highlight how species interactions and habitat attributes can be misconstrued as direct consequences of a foundation species like giant kelp.

Nutrient production in rhodolith beds: impact of a foundation species and its associates

2018 ◽  
Vol 590 ◽  
pp. 53-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
LA McConnico ◽  
G Hernández-Carmona ◽  
R Riosmena-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Foundation Species

Multiple climate-driven cascading ecosystem effects after the loss of a foundation species

2021 ◽  
Vol 770 ◽  
pp. 144749
Author(s):  
Gianluca Sarà ◽  
Chiara Giommi ◽  
Antonio Giacoletti ◽  
Erminia Conti ◽  
Christian Mulder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foundation Species ◽  
Ecosystem Effects

scholarly journals Local Adaptation in Marine Foundation Species at Microgeographic Scales

2021 ◽  
pp. 000-000
Author(s):  
C. G. Hays ◽  
T. C. Hanley ◽  
A. R. Hughes ◽  
S. B. Truskey ◽  
R. A. Zerebecki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Foundation Species

scholarly journals Post-bleaching mortality of a remote coral reef community in Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Elena Gadoutsis ◽  
Clare A.K. Daly ◽  
Julie P. Hawkins ◽  
Ryan Daly
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Coral Reef Community ◽  
Reef Community

scholarly journals Growing up aspen: ontogeny and trade-offs shape growth, defence and reproduction in a foundation species

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T Cole ◽  
Clay J Morrow ◽  
Hilary L Barker ◽  
Kennedy F Rubert-Nason ◽  
Jennifer F L Riehl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intraspecific Variation ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Chemical Defence ◽  
Extrafloral Nectaries ◽  
Foundation Species ◽  
Community Genetics ◽  
Indirect Defence ◽  
Juvenile Period ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Sex Marker

Abstract Background and Aims Intraspecific variation in foundation species of forest ecosystems can shape community and ecosystem properties, particularly when that variation has a genetic basis. Traits mediating interactions with other species are predicted by simple allocation models to follow ontogenetic patterns that are rarely studied in trees. The aim of this research was to identify the roles of genotype, ontogeny and genotypic trade-offs shaping growth, defence and reproduction in aspen. Methods We established a common garden replicating >500 aspen genets in Wisconsin, USA. Trees were measured through the juvenile period into the onset of reproduction, for growth, defence chemistry (phenolic glycosides and condensed tannins), nitrogen, extrafloral nectaries, leaf morphology (specific leaf area), flower production and foliar herbivory and disease. We also assayed the TOZ19 sex marker and heterozygosity at ten microsatellite loci. Key Results We found high levels of genotypic variation for all traits, and high heritabilities for both the traits and their ontogenetic trajectories. Ontogeny strongly shaped intraspecific variation, and trade-offs among growth, defence and reproduction supported some predictions while contradicting others. Both direct resistance (chemical defence) and indirect defence (extrafloral nectaries) declined during the juvenile stage, prior to the onset of reproduction. Reproduction was higher in trees that were larger, male and had higher individual heterozygosity. Growth was diminished by genotypic allocation to both direct and indirect defence as well as to reproduction, but we found no evidence of trade-offs between defence and reproduction. Conclusions Key traits affecting the ecological communities of aspen have high levels of genotypic variation and heritability, strong patterns of ontogeny and clear trade-offs among growth, defence and reproduction. The architecture of aspen’s community genetics – its ontogeny, trade-offs and especially its great variability – is shaped by both its broad range and the diverse community of associates, and in turn further fosters that diversity.

scholarly journals Foundation species influence trait-based community assembly

2012 ◽  
Vol 196 (3) ◽  
pp. 824-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Schöb ◽  
Bradley J. Butterfield ◽  
Francisco I. Pugnaire
Keyword(s):  
Community Assembly ◽  
Foundation Species
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