IR Home
MEPS
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Subscribe
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
ESEP Books
Order
EEIU Brochures
(pdf format)
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
Endangered Species Programs
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
 | |
MEPS 191:163-174 (1999)
|
Abstract
|
Macrobenthic colonisation of disturbances on an intertidal sandflat: the influence of season and buried algae
R. B. Ford1,*, S. F. Thrush2, P. K. Probert1
1Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
2National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, PO Box 11-115, Hamilton, New Zealand
*E-mail: rbf@st-and.ac.uk
ABSTRACT: This study examines whether macrofaunal colonisation differs seasonally in an intertidal sandflat. Frozen cores were placed in the sandflat within each season and colonisation of these cores was followed for 50 d. This study shows a previously
untested effect of buried algal mats on colonisation. A change in the sediment organic content can increase or decrease macrofaunal densities. Community colonisation rates of defaunated plugs were slower in winter compared to summer because of the higher
numbers of rare macrofauna in winter. Community colonisation of plugs with algal additions were also dependent on the seasonally varying response of the corophiid amphipod Paracorophium excavatum, the most abundant species in this community.
The strongest effect of the experiments was linked to critical densities of P. excavatum, irrespective of season. A mechanism for this linkage is suggested. This study also emphasises the importance of post-settlement movement as the
mechanism by which most species on this sandflat colonised in either season.
KEY WORDS: Intertidal sands · New Zealand · Buried algae · Colonisation · Community ecology · Paracorophium excavatum · Seasonal effects
Published in MEPS Vol.
191
(1999) on December 30
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1999
|
