The role of disturbance in differential regulation of co-occurring brown algae species: Interactive effects of sediment deposition, abrasion and grazing on algae recruits

Araújo, R.; Arenas, F.; Åberg, P.; Sousa-Pinto, I.; Serrão, Ester

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/4093

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Abstract(s)

Disturbance is an important structuring factor in intertidal communities. This study aimed at experimentally testing the effects of three important sources of disturbance to intertidal rocky habitats (abrasion, sediment deposition and herbivory) on the survivorship and growth of embryos of canopy forming fucoid species (Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus). Natural levels of sediment deposition and herbivore density were characterized and the temporal variation of populations of both species was followed. The experimental study showed that the survivorship of F. serratus embryos was negatively affected by herbivory but growth was enhanced in the presence of abrasion and herbivores. F. vesiculosus suffered the interactive negative effects of the three sources of disturbance tested, although abrasion was the most important factor affecting mortality rates of embryos. Conversely, none of the tested sources of disturbance significantly affected growth of embryos. These results highlight the importance of disturbance events in regulating species interactions which might be particularly relevant for population dynamics and persistence at the geographical borders of species' distribution.

Keywords

Abrasion Disturbance Fucus serratus Fucus vesiculosus Herbivory Sedimentation

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/4093

Citation

Araujo, R.; Arenas, F.; Åberg, P.; Sousa-Pinto, I.; Serrão, E.A. The role of disturbance in differential regulation of co-occurring brown algae species: Interactive effects of sediment deposition, abrasion and grazing on algae recruits, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 422-3, Maio 2012, 1-8, 2012.