Biodiversity mediates top–down control in eelgrass ecosystems: a global comparative‐experimental approach

Duffy, J. Emmett; Reynolds, Pamela L.; Boström, Christoffer; Coyer, James A.; Cusson, Mathieu; Donadi, Serena; Douglass, James G.; Eklöf, Johan; Engelen, Aschwin H.; Eriksson, Britas Klemens; Fredriksen, Stein; Gamfeldt, Lars; Gustafsson, Camilla; Hoarau, Galice; Hori, Masakazu; Hovel, Kevin A.; Iken, Katrin; Lefcheck, Jonathan S.; Moksnes, Per‐Olav; Nakaoka, Masahiro; O’Connor, Mary I.; Olsen, Jeanine L.; Richardson, John P.; Ruesink, Jennifer L.; Sotka, Erik E.; Thormar, Jonas; Whalen, Matthew A.; Stachowicz, John J.

doi:10.1111/ele.12448

Cited by 206 publications

(218 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…By fitting multiple models to a series of response variables, SEMs have the capacity to rigorously estimate indirect effects and causal links within complex networks (Grace 2006;Duffy et al 2015). Piecewise SEMs incorporate several linear models into a single causal pathway analysis using directional separation (d-separation) tests (series of independence claims that statistically identify causal relationships and missing links (i.e.…”

Section: Fit Of Data To a Theoretical Trophic Cascadementioning

confidence: 99%

A test of trophic cascade theory: fish and benthic assemblages across a predator density gradient on coral reefs

et al. 2016

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no cascading effects from apex predators to lower trophic levels: a loss of apex predators did not lead to higher levels of mesopredators, and this did not suppress mobile herbivores and drive algal proliferation. Likewise, we found no effects of mesopredators on lower trophic levels: a decline of mesopredators was not associated with higher abundances of algae-farming damselfishes and algae-dominated reefs. These findings indicate that top-down forces on coral reefs are weak, at least on the outer GBR. We conclude that predator-mediated trophic cascades are probably the exception rather than the rule in complex ecosystems such as the outer GBR.

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Section: Fit Of Data To a Theoretical Trophic Cascadementioning

confidence: 99%

A test of trophic cascade theory: fish and benthic assemblages across a predator density gradient on coral reefs

et al. 2016

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“…One widespread species, Zostera marina, or eelgrass, in particular, provides a habitat for ecologically diverse and economically important ecosystems along coasts throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere (16,17). The return of terrestrial seagrass ancestors to oceans is among the most severe habitat shifts accomplished by vascular plants (18) and has prompted detailed study of the physiological adaptations associated with this shift (19,20), including the tolerance of salinity and anoxic sediment conditions.…”

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confidence: 99%

Global-scale structure of the eelgrass microbiome

Fahimipour

Kardish

Eisen

et al. 2016

Preprint

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Plant-associated microorganisms are essential for their hosts' survival and performance. Yet, most plant microbiome studies to date have focused on terrestrial species sampled across relatively small spatial scales. Here, we report the results of a global-scale analysis of microbial communities associated with leaf and root surfaces of the marine eelgrass Zostera marina throughout its range in the Northern Hemisphere. By contrasting host microbiomes with those of surrounding seawater and sediment, we uncovered the structure, composition, and variability of microbial communities associated with eelgrass. We also investigated hypotheses about the assembly of the eelgrass microbiome using a metabolic modeling approach. Our results reveal leaf communities displaying high variability and spatial turnover that mirror their adjacent coastal seawater microbiomes. By contrast, roots showed relatively low compositional turnover and were distinct from surrounding sediment communities, a result driven by the enrichment of predicted sulfur-oxidizing bacterial taxa on root surfaces. Predictions from metabolic modeling of enriched taxa were consistent with a habitat-filtering community assembly mechanism whereby similarity in resource use drives taxonomic cooccurrence patterns on belowground, but not aboveground, host tissues. Our work provides evidence for a core eelgrass root microbiome with putative functional roles and highlights potentially disparate processes influencing microbial community assembly on different plant compartments.IMPORTANCE Plants depend critically on their associated microbiome, yet the structure of microbial communities found on marine plants remains poorly understood in comparison to that for terrestrial species. Seagrasses are the only flowering plants that live entirely in marine environments. The return of terrestrial seagrass ancestors to oceans is among the most extreme habitat shifts documented in plants, making them an ideal testbed for the study of microbial symbioses with plants that experience relatively harsh abiotic conditions. In this study, we report the results of a global sampling effort to extensively characterize the structure of microbial communities associated with the widespread seagrass species Zostera marina, or eelgrass, across its geographic range. Our results reveal major differences in the structure and composition of above-versus belowground microbial communities on eelgrass surfaces, as well as their relationships with the environment and host.

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“…The presence and diversity of a mesograzer community are important for controlling epiphytic algae (Duffy, 2002). Global experimental studies on Z. marina have demonstrated that diversity of the invertebrate mesograzer community is comparably important to global change stressors in the top-down control of seagrass ecosystems (Duffy et al, 2015).…”

Section: Trophic Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for the resilience of seagrass ecosystems

Unsworth

Collier

Waycott

et al. 2015

Marine Pollution Bulletin

209

174

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Seagrass ecosystems represent a global marine resource that is declining across its range. To halt degradation and promote recovery over large scales, management requires a radical change in emphasis and application that seeks to enhance seagrass ecosystem resilience. In this review we examine how the resilience of seagrass ecosystems is becoming compromised by a range of local to global stressors, resulting in ecological regime shifts that undermine the long-term viability of these productive ecosystems. To examine regime shifts and the management actions that can influence this phenomenon we present a conceptual model of resilience in seagrass ecosystems. The model is founded on a series of features and modifiers that act as interacting influences upon seagrass ecosystem resilience. Improved understanding and appreciation of the factors and modifiers that govern resilience in seagrass ecosystems can be utilised to support much needed evidence based management of a vital natural resource.

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Biodiversity mediates top–down control in eelgrass ecosystems: a global comparative‐experimental approach

Cited by 206 publications

References 51 publications

A test of trophic cascade theory: fish and benthic assemblages across a predator density gradient on coral reefs

A test of trophic cascade theory: fish and benthic assemblages across a predator density gradient on coral reefs

Global-scale structure of the eelgrass microbiome

A framework for the resilience of seagrass ecosystems

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