Predicting understorey structure from the presence and composition of canopies: an assembly rule for marine algae

Oecologia
Andrew D Irving, Sean D Connell

Abstract

Assembly rules provide a useful framework for predicting patterns of community assembly under defined environmental conditions. Habitat created by canopy-forming algae (such as kelps) provides a promising system for identifying assembly rules because canopies typically have a large and predictable influence on understorey communities. Across >1,000 km of subtidal South Australian coastline, we identified natural associations between assemblages of understorey algae and (1) monospecific canopies of Ecklonia radiata, (2) canopies comprised of E. radiata mixed with Fucales (Cystophora spp. and Sargassum spp.), and (3) gaps among canopies of algae. We were able to recreate these associations with experimental tests that quantified the assembly of understorey algae among these three habitat types. We propose the assembly rule that understorey communities on subtidal rocky coast in South Australia will be (1) monopolised by encrusting coralline algae beneath monospecific canopies of E. radiata, (2) comprised of encrusting corallines, encrusting non-corallines, and sparse covers of articulated corallines, beneath mixed E. radiata-Fucales canopies, and (3) comprised of extensive covers of articulated corallines and filamentous turfs, a...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 18, 2013·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Dan A Smale, Thomas Wernberg
Aug 22, 2009·Ecology·Jofre CarnicerCarlos J Melián
Aug 20, 2009·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Daniel GormanSean D Connell
Dec 15, 2010·Ecology·Werner Ulrich, Nicholas J Gotelli
Sep 2, 2017·Scientific Reports·Sarah L MurfittDaniel Ierodiaconou
Aug 1, 2011·Journal of Phycology·Bayden D RussellSean D Connell

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