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A global analysis of complexity-biodiversity relationships on marine artificial structures

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 18:39 authored by Elisabeth StrainElisabeth Strain, Steinberg, PD, Vozzo, M, Johnston, EL, Abbiati, M, Aguilera, MA, Airoldi, L, Aguirre, JD, Ashton, G, Bernardi, M, Brooks, P, Chan, BKK, Cheah, CB, Chee, SY, Coutinho, R, Crowe, T, Adam DaveyAdam Davey, Firth, LB, Fraser, C, Hanley, ME, Hawkins, SJ, Knick, KE, Lau, ETC, Leung, KMY, McKenzie, C, Catriona MacLeodCatriona MacLeod, Mafanya, S, Mancuso, FP, Messano, LVR, Naval-Xavier, LPD, Ng, TPT, O'Shaughnessy, KA, Pattrick, P, Perkins, MJ, Perkol-Finkel, S, Porri, F, Donald RossDonald Ross, Ruiz, G, Sella, I, Seitz, R, Shirazi, R, Thiel, M, Thompson, RC, Yee, JC, Zabin, C, Bishop, MJ

Aim

Topographic complexity is widely accepted as a key driver of biodiversity, but at the patch‐scale, complexity–biodiversity relationships may vary spatially and temporally according to the environmental stressors complexity mitigates, and the species richness and identity of potential colonists. Using a manipulative experiment, we assessed spatial variation in patch‐scale effects of complexity on intertidal biodiversity.

Location

27 sites within 14 estuaries/bays distributed globally.

Time period

2015–2017.

Major taxa studied

Functional groups of algae, sessile and mobile invertebrates.

Methods

Concrete tiles of differing complexity (flat; 2.5‐cm or 5‐cm complex) were affixed at low–high intertidal elevation on coastal defence structures, and the richness and abundance of the colonizing taxa were quantified after 12 months.

Results

The patch‐scale effects of complexity varied spatially and among functional groups. Complexity had neutral to positive effects on total, invertebrate and algal taxa richness, and invertebrate abundances. However, effects on the abundance of algae ranged from positive to negative, depending on location and functional group. The tidal elevation at which tiles were placed accounted for some variation. The total and invertebrate richness were greater at low or mid than at high intertidal elevations. Latitude was also an important source of spatial variation, with the effects of complexity on total richness and mobile mollusc abundance greatest at lower latitudes, whilst the cover of sessile invertebrates and sessile molluscs responded most strongly to complexity at higher latitudes.

Conclusions

After 12 months, patch‐scale relationships between biodiversity and habitat complexity were not universally positive. Instead, the relationship varied among functional groups and according to local abiotic and biotic conditions. This result challenges the assumption that effects of complexity on biodiversity are universally positive. The variable effect of complexity has ramifications for community and applied ecology, including eco‐engineering and restoration that seek to bolster biodiversity through the addition of complexity.

History

Publication title

Global Ecology and Biogeography

Volume

30

Pagination

140-153

ISSN

1466-822X

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/geb.13202. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems; Marine biodiversity