Annelid assemblages on artificial and natural hard substrata differ decades after building: A case study on a one-century old seawall

Do artificial vs natural substrates cause a difference in assemblages of peracarids? A case study in the Western Mediterranean basin

“…The coast in this region suffers relatively light human disturbance (López, 2022) and consists of a series of gently stepping rocky areas alternating with little sandy beaches. The studied cove (López, 2019) is limited on its southern side by a wharf built of conglomerate rock extracted from nearby quarries (Vill-1, artificial type) and on its northern side by a group of flat outcrops of schist rock (Vill-2, natural type).…”

The population structure, sex ratio and reproductive potential of limpets (Patella spp.) on natural shores and artificial structures in the Irish Sea

“…To date, the majority of studies comparing communities across artificial structures and natural rocky shores have focussed on differences in richness, abundance and assemblage structure (Aguilera et al, 2014;Bulleri, 2005;Bulleri and Chapman, 2004;Chapman and Bulleri, 2003;Firth et al, 2013b;Lopez, 2019;Pister, 2009), with less attention given to the population structure or performance of individual species (but see Díaz-Agras et al, 2010;Farrugia Drakard et al, 2021;Drexler et al, 2014;Moreira et al, 2006). Given that artificial structures are subject to greater levels of disturbance, and competition between individuals for limited resources (e.g., food and shelter) is believed to be greater than on natural rocky shores (Iveša et al, 2010), colonizing species likely experience increased physiological stress, which may affect the allocation of resources and in turn the productivity and viability of populations (Moreira et al, 2006).…”