Effects of Ulva spp. and seasonal disturbances on the recovery of a temperate rocky intertidal community

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of ulvoid algae and their seasonality on the recovery and succession of an intertidal algal community were investigated under field conditions using a two‐factorial design. The experiment was conducted in the mid‐low intertidal zone on the Southern coast of Korea. In spring and fall, each of the ten 50 × 50 cm plots was disturbed artificially, and Ulva spp. were continuously excluded from five plots of the seasonal plots. The succession of spring plots was nearly twice as fast as that of the fall plots (spring, 4–6 months; fall, 10–15 months), indicating that the seasonal effects contributed significantly to the speed of the succession. The inhibition by Ulva species delayed the succession; however, the strength of this delay was limited largely by the duration and persistence of Ulva mass, which was also highly seasonal. The presence of Ulva spp. did not alter the final assemblage at the climax stage; instead, it caused a delay in community resilience. This study provides a few analytical factors for community‐wise comparison during the evaluation of the status of successional stages.

Wave exposure, shore level, and season of clearing modulate early algal abundance and succession in an intertidal zone

“…It might be because they can alter the availability of resources, competing for space, and preventing recruitment of other later species. A similar pattern of colonization was noted in the studies of Mayakun et al (2010), Mayakun (2019), Mayakun et al (2020), and Yang and Kim (2020). They found that Ulva appeared to inhibit and suppress recruitment by later colonists.…”

“…(2010), Mayakun (2019), Mayakun et al . (2020), and Yang and Kim (2020). They found that Ulva appeared to inhibit and suppress recruitment by later colonists.…”

“…paradoxa can extensively colonize and occupy cleared plots at a fast pace because of its opportunistic characteristics, having a high reproductive capacity and rapid growth (Luo et al . 2012; Yang & Kim 2020). U .…”

“…U. paradoxa persisted on the cleared plots for around 5 to 6 months after clearing and was then replaced by Padina in Vaughaniella stage and P. Sphaerocarpa. U. paradoxa can extensively colonize and occupy cleared plots at a fast pace because of its opportunistic characteristics, having a high reproductive capacity and rapid growth (Luo et al 2012;Yang & Kim 2020). U. paradoxa also has a massive recruitment and a high dispersal rate; recruits can settle quickly within minutes and continue to settle up to eight days after release (Hoffmann & Ugarte 1985;Callow et al 1997;Granhag et al 2007).…”

“…They found that Ulva appeared to inhibit and suppress recruitment by later colonists. Yang and Kim (2020) indicated that the inhibition by Ulva can delay the succession and recovery processes, however, the speed of these two processes depend on the persistence of Ulva. Additionally, this result was comparable to the study of Viejo et al (2008), showing that the green ephemeral alga, Ulva species inhibited the establishment of perennial brown algae belonging to Fucus spp.…”