Structural and functional properties of foundation species (mussels vs. seaweeds) predict functional aspects of the associated communities

Cameron, Nicole M.; Scrosati, Ricardo A.; Valdivia, Nelson

doi:10.1007/s42974-023-00171-5

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…It is well known that, through environmental filtering and influences on interspecific interactions, abiotic variation along rocky coastlines affects the relative abundance of primary space holders ( Menge & Branch, 2001 ; Sanford, 2014 ). However, depending on their structural and functional properties, foundation species create specific conditions within their stands that favour particular sets of associated species ( Cameron, Scrosati & Valdivia, 2024a ). In theory, then, the species assemblages living in stands of a particular foundation species might depend little on external factors as long as stands of that foundation species remain similar along coastlines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Scrosati,

Ellrich

2024

PeerJ

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Rocky intertidal habitats occur worldwide and are mainly characterized by primary space holders such as seaweeds and sessile invertebrates. Some of these organisms are foundation species, as they can form structurally complex stands that host many small invertebrates. The abundance of primary space holders is known to vary along coastlines driven directly or indirectly by environmental variation. However, it is less clear if the invertebrate assemblages associated to a foundation species may remain relatively unchanged along coastlines, as similar stands of a foundation species can generate similar microclimates. We examined this question using abundance data for invertebrate species found in mussel stands of a similar structure in wave-exposed rocky habitats at mid-intertidal elevations along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia (Canada). While the most abundant invertebrate species were found at three locations spanning 315 km of coastline, species composition (a combined measure of species identity and their relative abundance) differed significantly among the locations. One of the species explaining the highest amount of variation among locations (a barnacle) exhibited potential signs of bottom-up regulation involving pelagic food supply, suggesting benthic–pelagic coupling. The abundance of the species that explained the highest amount of variation (an oligochaete) was positively related to the abundance of their predators (mites), further suggesting bottom-up forcing in these communities. Overall, we conclude that species assemblages associated to structurally similar stands of a foundation species can show clear changes in species composition at a regional scale.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Scrosati,

Ellrich

2024

PeerJ

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Recolonization of Intertidal Mussels in Nova Scotia (Canada) after Their Mass Disappearance Following the Severe 2023 Winter Cold Snap

Scrosati,

Cameron

2024

Diversity

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In February 2023, a severe cold snap took place in Atlantic Canada and was followed by the mass loss of mussels at mid-to-high intertidal elevations on the southeastern Nova Scotia coast. This loss was concerning because mussels sustain upper trophic levels in coastal food webs and because mussel stands enhance local biodiversity by sheltering many small invertebrate species. Using photographs taken in the second summer after that cold snap (July 2024), this article provides visual evidence of active ongoing recolonization of intertidal mussels on this coast, including the incipient formation of new stands. These are encouraging signs of ecological resilience. Reaching historical values of abundance will likely depend on the future occurrence of weather extremes, which are becoming more frequent with the ongoing climate change.

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Structural and functional properties of foundation species (mussels vs. seaweeds) predict functional aspects of the associated communities

Cited by 2 publications

References 73 publications

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Recolonization of Intertidal Mussels in Nova Scotia (Canada) after Their Mass Disappearance Following the Severe 2023 Winter Cold Snap

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