Variation at local scales need not impede tests for broader scale patterns

Fowler-Walker, Meegan J.; Connell, Sean D.; Gillanders, Bronwyn M.

doi:10.1007/s00227-005-1605-x

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Most ecologists work at scales where complexity tends to be greatest (i.e. local) and is likely to be explained by special and unique events (Fowler-Walker et al, 2005). Furthermore, the search for general rules governing environmental systems is extremely difficult due to the lack of predictability and due to the fact that long-term data is generally needed (Boero, 2009;Dolbeth et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Subtidal benthic macroinfaunal assemblages in tropical estuaries: Generality amongst highly variable gradients

Barros

Carvalho

Costa

et al. 2012

Marine Environmental Research

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Subtidal benthic macroinfaunal assemblages in tropical estuaries: Generality amongst highly variable gradients

Barros

Carvalho

Costa

et al. 2012

Marine Environmental Research

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“…Using a range of plant sizes, Kennelly (1989) demonstrated that the intensity of abrasion correlates negatively with stipe length. Recent broad-scale sampling of exposed rocky coasts in eastern and southern Australia (32 sites across > 2000 km of coastline) revealed that E. radiata in eastern Australia generally have longer stipes than plants in southern Australia (mean ± SE = 11.0 ± 0.7 cm for eastern Australia, 6.7 ± 0.2 cm for southern Australia), in addition to shorter laminae relative to the stipe length (mean ± SE laminato-stipe length ratio = 4.5 ± 0.3 for eastern Australia, 6.8 ± 0.4 for southern Australia) (Fowler-Walker et al 2005b). The morphology of E. radiata in the present study closely matches these general measures for southern Australia (see 'Results; Key variables'), suggesting that plants in southern Australia are morphologically suitable for exerting strong effects of abrasion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Physical disturbance by kelp abrades erect algae from the understorey

Irving¹,

Connell²

2006

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Positive and negative interactions among organisms are key determinants of pattern in the distribution and abundance of many species. Beneath subtidal canopies of kelp Ecklonia radiata (Laminariales), we observed sparse covers of erect algae (articulated coralline algae and filamentous turf-forming algae) that formed extensive covers where canopies were absent. Moreover, articulated corallines occurred in greater abundance beneath canopies of E. radiata mixed with canopy-forming species of Fucales than beneath monospecific canopies of E. radiata. We experimentally tested the hypotheses that (1) canopies negatively affect the abundance of articulated corallines and filamentous turfs, (2) physical abrasion of the substratum by canopies contributes to such negative effects, and (3) the effect of abrasion on articulated corallines is greater beneath monospecific canopies than mixed-species canopies, but the effect on filamentous turfs does not differ between types of canopy. Experiments revealed large negative effects of canopies on the abundance of articulated corallines and filamentous turfs, to which abrasion made a substantial contribution (~54 to 67% for articulated coralline and ~58% for filamentous turf). Moreover, the intensity of abrasion was greater beneath monospecific than mixed-species canopies, which was consistent with differences in the effect of canopies and abrasion on articulated corallines (monospecific > mixed-species) but not filamentous turfs (monospecific = mixed-species). Although abrasion is one of many possible influences of algal canopies, our results show that it can substantially contribute to the heterogeneity of understorey habitat on subtidal rocky coasts. Comparison with prior research suggests that the effects of E. radiata canopies on understorey algae may be largely explained by the combined effects of shade, sedimentation and abrasion.

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“…In the case of T. rosea, large-scale processes therefore appear to override the complexities of smaller-scale variation in recruitment towards the range limit (Fowler-Walker et al 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If there were no environmental factors influencing post-settlement survival of recruits or adults at smaller spatial scales approaching the range limit, then this should to lead to an increase in adult abundance towards the downstream range limit (Gaylord & Gaines invertebrates approaching their range limits have shown a decline in recruit density gradually towards, or abruptly at, the range limit (Broitman et al 2008, Herbert et al 2009); decreased recruitment frequency at the range limit (Zacherl et al 2003, Lima et al 2006, Hidas et al 2010; or no changes in recruitment patterns towards the range limit (Broitman et al 2008, Lathlean et al 2010. Assessing these variations in recruitment, and their relationship to adult abundance and fecundity at smaller spatial scales approaching the range limit, is necessary to understand the variable outcomes in patterns of abundance at geographical scales (Fowler-Walker et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance of Tesseropora rosea at the margins of its biogeographic range is closely linked to recruitment, but not fecundity

Hidas¹,

Russell²,

Ayre³

et al. 2013

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Minchinton, T. E. (2013). Abundance of Tesseropora rosea at the margins of its biogeographic range is closely linked to recruitment, but not fecundity. Marine Ecology: Progress Series, Abundance of Tesseropora rosea at the margins of its biogeographic range is closely linked to recruitment, but not fecundity AbstractFor benthic marine invertebrates with planktonic larvae, adult abundance at the species' range limit may depend on local fecundity, and recruitment from central, source populations. We tested the importance of these processes using a hierarchical design at multiple spatial scales (from tens to hundreds of kilometres) to assess relationships between patterns of adult abundance, fecundity and recruitment in the rocky intertidal barnacle Tesseropora rosea, approaching its geographical range limit on the southeast coast of Australia. Across the 600 km region, adult abundance, recruitment and fecundity all declined towards the range limit, but only adult abundance and recruitment were positively correlated, suggesting that recruitment is negatively affected at the range limit and that recruitment plays a significant role in setting the geographical patterns of abundance of T. rosea. In contrast, at smaller spatial scales within this region, adult abundance and recruitment varied by up to 15-and 100-fold, respectively, among some locations only tens of kilometres apart, and no obvious patterns in adult-recruit relationships were revealed towards the range limit. Local patterns of abundance and life-cycle relationships do not, therefore, translate to biogeographic scales, but investigation at this multitude of spatial scales helps to identify the defining processes that account for spatial variation and determine population structure towards the range limits of benthic marine invertebrates. ABSTRACTFor benthic marine invertebrates with planktonic larvae, adult abundance at the species' range limit may depend on local fecundity, and recruitment from central, source populations. We test the importance of these processes using a hierarchical design at multiple spatial scales (from tens to hundreds of kilometres) to assess relationships between patterns of adult abundance, fecundity, and recruitment for the rocky intertidal barnacle, Tesseropora rosea, approaching its geographical range limit on the southeast coast of Australia. Across the 600 km region, adult abundance, recruitment and fecundity all declined towards the range limit, but only adult abundance and recruitment were positively correlated, suggesting that recruitment is negatively impacted at the range limit and, that recruitment plays a significant role in setting the geographical patterns of abundance of T. rosea. In contrast, at smaller spatial scales within this region, adult abundance and recruitment varied by up to 15-and 100-fold respectively, among some locations only tens of kilometres apart, and no obvious patterns in adult-recruit relationships were revealed towards the range limit. Local patterns of abundance and lifecycle relationshi...

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Variation at local scales need not impede tests for broader scale patterns

Cited by 24 publications

References 37 publications

Subtidal benthic macroinfaunal assemblages in tropical estuaries: Generality amongst highly variable gradients

Subtidal benthic macroinfaunal assemblages in tropical estuaries: Generality amongst highly variable gradients

Physical disturbance by kelp abrades erect algae from the understorey

Abundance of Tesseropora rosea at the margins of its biogeographic range is closely linked to recruitment, but not fecundity

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