Differences in the structure and functioning of two communities: Frondose and turf-forming macroalgal dominated habitats. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: M. Martins, Gustavo; Hipólito, Cláudia; Parreira, Filipe; C.L. Prestes, Afonso; Dionísio, Maria A.; N. Azevedo, José M.; Neto, Ana I.
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 116(2016)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Community structure -- Ecosystem functioning -- Macroalgae -- Macroinvertebrates -- Fish -- Productivity -- Habitat -- Patterns of distribution; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.03.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: In many coastal regions, vegetated habitats (e.g. kelps forests, seagrass beds) play a key role in the structure and functioning of shallow subtidal reef ecosystems, by modifying local environmental conditions and by providing food and habitat for a wide range of organisms. In some regions of the world, however, such idiosyncratic ecosystems are largely absent and are often replaced by less notable ecosystem formers. In the present study, we empirically compared the structure and functioning of two distinct shallow-water habitats present in the Azores: one dominated by smaller frondose brown macroalgae (Dictyotaceae and Halopteris ) and one dominated by low-lying turfs. Two replicated areas of each habitat were sampled at two different times of the year, to assess spatial and temporal consistency of results. Habitats dominated by small fronds were significantly (ca. 3 times) more productive (when standardized per algal mass) compared to the turf-dominated habitats, and supported a distinct assemblage (both in terms of composition and abundance) of associated macrofauna. Unlike other well-known and studied vegetated habitats (i.e. kelp forests), however, no effects of habitat were found on the structure of benthonic fish assemblages. Results were spatially and temporally consistent suggesting that, in warmer temperate oceans, habitats dominated by species of smaller frondose brown algae can also play an important role in the structure and functioning of subtidal communities and may, to a certain extent, be considered analogous to other well-known vegetated habitats around the world (i.e. kelp forests, seagrass beds). Highlights: Frondose habitats were significantly more productive and supported a differing macrofaunal assemblage compared to turf habitats. Fish assemblages were similar in the frondose- and turf-dominated habitats in terms of structure, body size and diet. Results were consistent in space and time. Results suggest that frondose brown algae habitats are ecologically and functionally distinct from turf habitats.