Foundation species patch configuration mediates salt marsh biodiversity, stability and multifunctionality

Ecol Lett. 2018 Nov;21(11):1681-1692. doi: 10.1111/ele.13146. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

Abstract

Foundation species enhance biodiversity and multifunctionality across many systems; however, whether foundation species patch configuration mediates their ecological effects is unknown. In a 6-month field experiment, we test which attributes of foundation species patch configuration - i.e. patch size, total patch area, perimeter, area-perimeter ratio, or connectivity - control biodiversity, stability and multifunctionality by adding a standardised density of mussel foundation species in patches of 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, 90 or 180 individuals to a southeastern US salt marsh. Over 67% of response variables increased with clustering of mussels, responses that were driven by increases in area-perimeter ratio (33%), decreases in perimeter (29%), or increases in patch size (5%), suggesting sensitivity to external stressors and/or dependence on foundation species-derived niche availability and segregation. Thus, mussel configuration - by controlling the relative distribution of multidimensional patch interior and edge niche space - critically modulates this foundation species' effects on ecosystem structure, stability and function.

Keywords: Geukensia demissa; Spartina alterniflora; Community stability; ecosystem engineer; landscape ecology; mussel; niche; population stability; primary productivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biodiversity*
  • Ecology
  • Ecosystem
  • Humans
  • Poaceae*
  • Wetlands*

Associated data

  • figshare/10.6084/m9.figshare.6930689.v1