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MEPS 275:185-197 (2004)
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Abstract
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Models of open populations with space-limited recruitment in stochastic environments: relative importance of recruitment and survival in populations of Semibalanus balanoides
Carl J. Svensson1,*, Stuart R. Jenkins2, Stephen J. Hawkins2, Alan A. Myers5, Pedro Range3, José Paula3, Ruth M. O'Riordan4,5, Per Åberg1
1Department of Marine Ecology, Göteborg University, Box 461, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
2Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
3Institudo do Mar (IMAR), Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada do Guincho, 2750-642 Cascais, Portugal
4Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
5Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, National University of Ireland, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland
*Email: carl-johan.svensson@marbot.gu.se
ABSTRACT: The relative importance of recruitment and post-recruitment processes in determining adult density among marine species varies considerably between species and populations. This study aimed to investigate the relative effects of variation in
recruitment and survival rates on the density dynamics of 3 spatially separated natural populations of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides (Isle of Man, SW Ireland and west Sweden). We analysed 2 different data-based stochastic matrix models of
open populations with space-limited recruitment. Assumption testing supported the application of matrix-model theory for studying and comparing population variables of open populations. Recruitment was found to be partly dependent on free space, and
mortality was size-specific and independent of other vital rates. Model simulations showed that the relative importance of recruitment and survival in shaping adult density depends on the existing variation of these vital rates at each location. In the
Isle of Man the variation in density was primarily caused by variability in recruitment, while in SW Ireland the variability in survival induced the most variation. In west Sweden variation was high due to variability in both recruitment and survival. A
life-cycle elasticity analysis across locations indicated that the population dynamics were generally more sensitive to changes in survival than to changes in recruitment. Also, locations with high variability in vital rates seemed better able to buffer
sudden changes in vital rates. In addition, differences in survival and growth produced population structures that varied between populations. In the Isle of Man and west Sweden the populations consisted of mainly Size Category 1 individuals, while the
population in SW Ireland had a linear relationship between size category and the proportion of individuals.
KEY WORDS: Intertidal rocky shore · Matrix model · Stochastic vital rates · Free space · Northern Europe
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
275
(2004) on July 14
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2004
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