A novel three-dimensional analysis of functional architecture that describes the properties of macroalgae as a refuge

Ware, Colin; Dijkstra, Jennifer A.; Mello, Kristen; Stevens, Andrew H.; O'Brien, Brandon S.; Ikedo, William

doi:10.3354/meps12800

Cited by 26 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The patchiness of turf-dominated habitats coupled with their short filamentous forms will leave adult individuals exposed to predators. New recruits, however, that navigate under or through the turf habitat may be more protected as the dense bushy forms of the algae may conceal prey from predators (Steneck et al 2013, Ware et al 2019. Overall, the effect of this changing seascape on associated decapods and lobsters will likely depend on the size and ability of an individual to navigate through it.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies indicate that at an individual-level, functional traits related to architecture, height, and complexity of habitats change with shifting species composition (Asner et al 2008, McIntyre et al 2015, Dijkstra et al 2017a). These traits have been shown to modify abundance and biodiversity of inhabitant species as well as species interactions (Warfe and Barmuta 2004, Desmond et al 2018, Ware et al 2019). However, it is unclear how regime shifts will affect the ecological processes that shape landscapes or in turn how a novel landscape will effect the ability of inhabitant species to forage or seek refuge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These changes are mirrored in the Northwestern Atlantic where a suite of introduced species have become established in shallow rocky subtidal areas Tyrrell 2001, Newton et al 2013), many of which are turf macroalgae (Dijkstra et al 2017a, Newton-Ramsay et al 2017). This has led to a more structurally complex habitat that supports greater abundance and diversity of meso-invertebrates (Dijkstra et al 2017a, Ware et al 2019. Additionally, water temperatures are rising and have affected the phenology, growth, and reproduction of species (Dijkstra et al 2011, 2017b, Pershing et al 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Temperature, phenology, and turf macroalgae drive seascape change: Connections to mid‐trophic level species

et al. 2019

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2019. Temperature, phenology, and turf macroalgae drive seascape change: Connections to mid-trophic level species.Abstract. Landscape patterns created by the structure and form of foundational species shape ecological processes of community assembly and trophic interactions. In recent years, major shifts in foundation species have occurred in multiple ecosystems. In temperate marine systems, many kelp beds have shifted to turf macroalgae habitats with unknown consequences on seascape patterns or changes in the ecological processes that maintain communities. We investigated the effect of turf macroalgae on seascape patterns in three habitats dominated by kelp and turf macroalgae and those that have mixed species composition. We also examined decadal elevations in temperature with known growth and reproductive phenology of kelp and turf macroalgae to provide a mechanistic understanding of the factors that will continue to shape these seascapes. Our results indicate that turf macroalgae produce a more heterogeneous habitat with greater primary free space than those that are mixed or dominated by kelp. Further, we examined the relationship between seascape patterns and richness and abundance of fishes in each habitat. Results showed that patch size was positively related to the abundance of fish in habitat types, suggesting that turf-induced heterogeneity may lead to fewer observed fishes, specifically the mid-trophic level species, cunner, in these habitats. Overall, our results suggest that persistence of this habitat is facilitated by increasing temperature that shorten the phenology of kelps and favor growth and reproduction of turf macroalgae that make them poised to take advantage of free space, regardless of season.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Temperature, phenology, and turf macroalgae drive seascape change: Connections to mid‐trophic level species

et al. 2019

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“…The functional role of macroalgae for fishes is predicted by the interstitial volume and area that is accessible by prey but not predators (Ware et al. ). Tall, branching kelps provide a larger predator‐inaccessible space than filamentous macroalgae (Ware et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tall, branching kelps provide a larger predator‐inaccessible space than filamentous macroalgae (Ware et al. ), and tend to be preferred as shelter by macroalgae‐associated fishes (e.g., O'Brien et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A nonnative habitat‐former mitigates native habitat loss for endemic reef fishes

Barrett

Dempster

Swearer

2019

Ecological Applications

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Animals that select the best available habitats are most likely to succeed in degraded environments, but ecological change can create evolutionarily unfamiliar habitats that may be under‐ or over‐utilized by native fauna. In temperate coastal waters, eutrophication and grazing have driven a global decline in native seaweeds and facilitated the establishment of nonnative seaweeds that provide novel macrophyte habitat. We tested whether a nonnative kelp canopy (wakame Undaria pinnatifida) functions as a viable habitat or ecological trap for several endemic reef fishes on urchin‐grazed reefs in southern Australia. We assessed the willingness of fish to utilize native vs. wakame kelp canopy via a laboratory habitat choice experiment and by recording natural recruitment to specially constructed boulder reefs with manipulated kelp canopy. We also compared fish communities on natural reefs using a before‐after‐control‐impact survey of wakame patches, and to assess the quality of wakame habitat for resident fish, compared fitness metrics for fish collected from habitats with native vs. wakame kelp canopy. Endemic fishes did not distinguish between the native or wakame canopy but preferred both to barren reef habitats. On urchin‐grazed natural reefs, fish occurred in higher abundance and diversity where seasonal wakame canopy was present. Fitness metrics in fish collected from wakame patches were comparable to those in fish from adjacent native kelp patches. These findings indicate that the nonnative canopy provides a viable habitat for endemic fish and may play a role in sustaining native fauna populations in this degraded ecosystem. More broadly, we recommend that managers consider the role of nonnative habitats within the context of environmental change, as endemic fauna may benefit from nonnative habitat‐formers in areas where their native counterparts cannot persist.

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Indirect effects shape macroalgal epifaunal communities

Ndhlovu

Lathlean

McQuaid

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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A novel three-dimensional analysis of functional architecture that describes the properties of macroalgae as a refuge

Cited by 26 publications

References 47 publications

Temperature, phenology, and turf macroalgae drive seascape change: Connections to mid‐trophic level species

Temperature, phenology, and turf macroalgae drive seascape change: Connections to mid‐trophic level species

A nonnative habitat‐former mitigates native habitat loss for endemic reef fishes

Indirect effects shape macroalgal epifaunal communities

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