Life Between Tide-Marks in North America: IIIA. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: Description of the Region

Stephenson, T. A.; Stephenson, A. B.

doi:10.2307/2256977

Cited by 35 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…The ubiquitous zonation of organisms along the intertidal gradient is perhaps the most striking characteristic of communities of the emergent substrata of rocky intertidal shores (Stephenson & Stephenson 1950, 1952, 1954a, b, Dayton 1931, Lubchenco & Menge 1978, Underwood 1981, Janke 1990). In tidepools, however, the relationship between the distribution of organisms and their height on the shore is less clear.…”

Section: Variability In Tidepoolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of studies have described the general structure of rocky intertidal communities on temperate shores throughout the world (e.g. Pyefinch 1943, Stephenson & Stephenson 1950, 1952, 1954a, b, Underwood 1980, Moore & Seed 1986, Brattstrom 1990, Janke 1990). Other studies have reviewed processes of community organization on rocky intertidal shores (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Community structure and organization of tidepools

Meta×as¹,

Scheibling²

1993

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

202

139

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Although tidepools are conspicuous components of rocky intertidal shores, their biotic communities have not been studied as extensively as those on emergent substrata. We examine processes regulating the structure of tidepool communities for comparison with emergent substrata. The physical environment of tidepools is highly regulated by the hdal cycle, although fluctuations in physical factors are smaller in tidepools, and the organisms remain submerged for the entire tidal cycle. As a result, the upper limits of the distribution of organisms are extended in tidepools and some species either tend to aggregate in pools or avold them. The vertical zonation of organisms is not as pronounced in tidepools as on emergent substrata. Herbivory has been shown to influence the distribution and abundance of algal species in tidepools, but the effect of predation in regulating community structure has been less well documented. The importance of interspecific competition has been consistently shown in tidepools, particularly among algal species, which usually are the dominant space occupiers. Although the introduction of most species into tidepools depends upon recruitment from the surrounding water, the effects of variation in the supply of new individuals has not been examined. Aspects of the physical regime such as habitat complexity and wave exposure affect the community structure of tidepools, as they do communities on emergent substrata. However, the specific characteristics of tidepools such as pool depth, volume, orientation, shading and flushlng rate make indvidual pools unique, resulting in large spatial variability in bdepool community structure. For this reason, replication in tidepool stuhes should be carefully selected. Because of their variable characteristics, well-defined boundaries and tidepools of manageable size can serve as experimental mesocosms to test general ecological theories about community organization.

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Section: Variability In Tidepoolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community structure and organization of tidepools

Meta×as¹,

Scheibling²

1993

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

202

139

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“…Biological zonation along the intertidal gradient is a prominent feature of the emergent substrata of rocky shores around the world (Stephenson & Stephenson 1950, 1952, 1954a, b, Dayton 1971, Lubchenco & Menge 1978, Underwood 1981, Janke 1990). In tidepools, however, zonation patterns are less clear due to large variability in species abundance among tidepools at similar tidal heights (see Metaxas & Scheibling 1993 for review).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal variability of macrobenthic communities in tidepools on a rocky shore in Nova Scotia, Canada

Meta×as¹,

Hunt²,

Scheibling³

1994

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Spatial and temporal patterns in the distribution and abundance of macroalgae and macrofauna were measured in 4 pools in each of 3 intertidal zones (mid, high and splash) on a rocky shore near Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Sheets, filamentous, coarsely branched, thick leathery, jointed calcareous, and crustose forms were the most abundant macroalgal functional groups, and mussels, l~ttorinid snails and whelks were the most abundant macroinvertebrates in the pools. Percentage cover of the late-successional macroalgal forms, such as thick leathery and crustose forms, was greatest in the mid pools where environmental fluctuations are smaller and more predictable. Percentage cover of the more opportunistic forms, such as sheets and filamentous algae, was variable among pools in all zones, whereas percentage cover of the other functional forms was most variable among mid pools on most sampling dates. Mussels and whelks were more abundant in mid pools, whereas littonnes were more abundant in the high pools. Macrofaunal abundance also was variable among pools within most zones on most sampling dates. Multiple regressions showed that grazer density, nutrient regime and physical characteristics of the tidepools can consistently explain the variability in percentage cover of late-successional macroalgal functional forms, but not of the more opportunistic forms. The horizontal spatial variability in percentage cover of macroalgae may result from differential recruitment of opportunistic forms, and/or differences in the physical characteristics of the pools which affect slow-growing, late-successional forms. The Shannon D~versity Index for the macroalgal and the macrofaunal assemblages was greatest in mid pools, suggesting that a smaller number of macroalgal and macroinvertebrate species can survive in the higher pools where conditions are harsher. Cluster analyses showed that the macroalgal assemblages were mostly similar among mid pools, and that macrofaunal assemblages of mid pools were similar to high pools, but not splash pools. Our study shows that macrobenthic community structure in tidepools does not vary consistently with the period of tidal isolation and there is large variability among pools within intertidal zones.

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“…Perhaps the clues leading to the explanation proposed here are in the statement of Womersley and Edmonds (1952, p. 89) who in discussing subzonation within their "littoral zone" say that it may be "divided into sub-zones as required," and in Du Rietz's (1940; papers, which in themselves are efforts toward a better and more nearly uniform explanation of zonation. Especially to be noted are the views of Stephenson and Stephenson (1949), who after many years of ocean-shore study have concluded that the intertidal zones are caused by the same factors that cause zonation around bodies of water such as fresh-water lakes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Chapter 18: Rocky Intertidal Surfaces

Doty¹

1957

Geological Society of America Memoirs

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INTRODUCTIONSummarizing our information on this subject and the pertinent information to be found through the huge bibliography are not the only objectives of this chapter. An organization has been attempted which seems potentially of service in pointing out variables or factors, the study of which, through application of the experimental method, may facilitate better understanding of the various problems and encourage the formulation of new, testable hypotheses. This goal is sought by organizing the material presented around what seem to be the major aspects of realms in the variation of the environment. For the reporting of observations, the environment lends itself to measurement as variations (or duration) through space, time, and numbers, and in C. G. S., or related, units. 1 Most of the points outlined by Michael and Allen (1921) in their outline of the problems of marine ecology are covered but have been reorganized with the above variables in mind.The environmental variables delimit a form in space, time, and numbers peculiar to each species, group of species, or other biological unit being treated. For this form we shall use the term biospace, though in deference to the usual three-dimensional conception of "space" some other term might well be more appropriate for a form having more than three dimensions. Jarnefelt (1940), Reijne (1948), and Detling (1951) present possible methods of illustrating these polydimensional biospaces (Fig. 16) within the restrictions imposed by two-dimensional printing.A simple sample of, or section through, a biospace would be provided by a uniformly exposed and vertical plane shore. Such a two-dimensional plane section would be expected to have ends which are more or less attenuated in some respect. A third dimension would be simply represented and sampled when, or if, the section were curved. A series of jetties or breakwaters would provide on their intertidal surfaces a series of plane sections through the different biospaces that form the essential substance of this chapter (though there has been no hesitation in bringing in occasional examples from other habitats). A series of large boulders protruding into the air and scattered over a subtidal bottom would provide a somewhat more complicated sampling through a set of local intertidal biospaces. Temporal and numerical distribution provide additional dimensions. If enough samples were available one should be able to calculate the extent of these biospaces and predict where particular 1 Papers extensively utilizing means of exposition other than such specific units (e.g., centimeters, grams, seconds) have been found to be of little use though they may be artistic or literary masterpieces. The relegation of a host of them to the great list of papers that might have been cited herein is manifest. 535 1.536 MARINE ECOLOGY organisms would grow, for example, on a new breakwater to be installed in the region.The presence or absence of such boulders or other suitable surfaces as required by a particular organism for existence ar...

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Life Between Tide-Marks in North America: IIIA. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: Description of the Region

Cited by 35 publications

References 0 publications

Community structure and organization of tidepools

Community structure and organization of tidepools

Spatial and temporal variability of macrobenthic communities in tidepools on a rocky shore in Nova Scotia, Canada

Chapter 18: Rocky Intertidal Surfaces

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