Disturbance mediates the effects of nutrients on developing assemblages of epibiota
Date
2008
Authors
Valdivia, N.
Stehbens, J.
Hermelink, B.
Connell, S.
Molis, M.
Wahl, M.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere, 2008; 33(8):951-962
Statement of Responsibility
Nelson Valdivia, Jarrod D. Stehbens, Björn Hermelink, Sean D. Connell, Markus Molis and Martin Wahl
Conference Name
Abstract
Local dynamics such as resource enhancement (e.g. nutrient supply) and stochastic events of destruction (disturbances that provide new space) are hypothesized to counteractively affect species diversity and composition. We tested the independent and interactive effects of nutrients and disturbance on the development of assemblages of epibiota attached to vertical surfaces in an oligotrophic system. Nutrient concentrations were manipulated at three levels (ambient, medium and high) while disturbance was manipulated by removing biomass at seven frequencies (0×, 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 7×, 12×). Nutrient and disturbance regimes had opposing effects on diversity such that species richness increased with resource enhancement (nutrients) and declined with disturbance. These results support the model that increased heterogeneity of distribution of limiting resources allows the coexistence of species with low and high resource requirements.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
© 2008 Ecological Society of Australia