Application of computer-aided tomography techniques to visualize kelp holdfast structure reveals the importance of habitat complexity for supporting marine biodiversity

Orland, Chloé; Queirós, Ana M.; Spicer, John I.; McNeill, Caroline L.; Higgins, Sarah; Goldworthy, Sharon; Zananiri, Tony; Archer, Lesley; Widdicombe, Stephen

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2016.01.003

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…By doing so, an individual-based model could then be developed that considers 3D aspects of predator and prey morphology, as well as that of the structural interstices, to determine predation risk for a given structure (e.g., Schindler et al 1994). Inclusion of three-dimensionality in investigations of predator-prey interactions can be facilitated by the use of highresolution, digitized images of structures obtained by either non-destructive X-ray computed tomography (CT) or laser scanning, as these methods can assist in the rapid quantification of interstitial space in more complex structures or over larger spatial scales (e.g., Rodriguez et al 2014, Orland et al 2016.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three‐dimensional interstitial space mediates predator foraging success in different spatial arrangements

Hesterberg

Duckett

Salewski

et al. 2017

Ecology

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Identifying and quantifying the relevant properties of habitat structure that mediate predator-prey interactions remains a persistent challenge. Most previous studies investigate effects of structural density on trophic interactions and typically quantify refuge quality using one or two-dimensional metrics. Few consider spatial arrangement of components (i.e., orientation and shape) and often neglect to measure the total three-dimensional (3D) space available as refuge. This study tests whether the three-dimensionality of interstitial space, an attribute produced by the spatial arrangement of oyster (Crassostrea virginica) shells, impacts the foraging success of nektonic predators (primary blue crab, Callinectes sapidus) on mud crab prey (Eurypanopeus depressus) in field and mesocosm experiments. Interstices of 3D-printed shell mimics were manipulated by changing either their orientation (angle) or internal shape (crevice or channel). In both field and mesocosm experiments, under conditions of constant structural density, predator foraging success was influenced by 3D aspects of interstitial space. Proportional survivorship of tethered mud crabs differed significantly as 3D interstitial space varied by orientation, displaying decreasing prey survivorship as angle of orientation increased (0° = 0.76, 22.5° = 0.13, 45° = 0.0). Tethered prey survivorship was high when 3D interstitial space of mimics was modified by internal shape (crevice survivorship = 0.89, channel survivorship = 0.96) and these values did not differ significantly. In mesocosms, foraging success of blue crabs varied with 3D interstitial space as mean proportional survivorship (± SE) of mud crabs was significantly lower in 45° (0.27 ± 0.06) vs. 0° (0.86 ± 0.04) orientations and for crevice (0.52 ± 0.11) vs. channel shapes (0.95 ± 0.02). These results suggest that 3D aspects of interstitial space, which have direct relevance to refuge quality, can strongly influence foraging success in our oyster reef habitat. Our findings highlight the importance of spatial arrangement in mediating consumptive pathways in hard-structured habitats and demonstrate how quantifying the three-dimensionality of living space captures aspects of habitat structure that have been missing from previous empirical studies of trophic interactions and structural complexity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three‐dimensional interstitial space mediates predator foraging success in different spatial arrangements

Hesterberg

Duckett

Salewski

et al. 2017

Ecology

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“…Increased number and quality of living spaces leads to higher abundances across taxa and habitats such as amphibians in ponds (Holzer & Lawler, 2015; Kenison et al, 2016), invertebrates in moss patches (Wulf & Pearson, 2017), fish in streams (Donadi et al, 2019; Massicotte et al, 2015), and shrimps in sea meadows (Bartholomew & Burt, 2015) and in kelp assemblages (reviewed by Teagle et al, 2017). Available living space can be represented by the volume protected from tidal forces (Orland et al, 2016) or stream currents (Milesi et al, 2016), both of which lead to increased colonization and chances of survival, explaining higher abundance.…”

Section: Community Level Consequences Of Changes In Hcmentioning

confidence: 99%

From individuals to communities: Habitat complexity affects all levels of organization in aquatic environments

et al. 2021

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Habitat complexity describes a wide array of spatial distribution patterns of physical structures in habitats. It affects aquatic ecosystems on multiple levels from individuals (e.g., foraging behavior) to species interactions (e.g., predation, prey selection) and entire communities (e.g., biodiversity, food web structure). We present a conceptual framework to classify these effects and use it to summarize recent advances in the field. We identify three main research gaps and limitations preventing a full synthesis of the effects of habitat complexity on aquatic communities and ecosystems. Habitat complexity is often characterized using ad hoc measures, which limits cross‐experimental comparison and meta‐analytical and modeling approaches. The effects of habitat complexity on communities and ecosystems can also involve feedback loops on lower levels of organization including the habitat complexity itself. Such ecological feedbacks can influence habitat formation and amplify or mitigate the direct effects of habitat loss and simplification or habitat restoration on populations and communities, yet are surprisingly little understood. Finally, most studies examine habitat complexity on the presence‐absence scale. This limits our ability to recognize nonlinear responses across habitat complexity gradients, which occur in many contexts in aquatic habitats. Since nonlinear responses can stabilize or destabilize population and community dynamics, we call for the use of a higher resolution of habitat complexity in future studies. We conclude that currently degraded habitats offer exciting opportunities for combining restorative efforts with research that could combine multi‐level experiments and monitoring to improve our understanding of the role of habitat complexity across aquatic ecosystems. This article is categorized under: Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

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“…The sea urchins were in fact among the most numerous taxon in dredge hauls at all three kelp sites and have elsewhere been shown to both reduce kelp biomass (Sivertsen 1997;Konar and Estes 2003) and enhance kelp detritus dispersal through transferring kelp into urchin feces (Wernberg and Filbee-Dexter 2018). Yet other taxa occurring in kelp systems are known to benefit from the protective environment of these systems including their holdfasts (Orland et al 2016).…”

Section: Habitat Characteristics and Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New distribution records of kelp in the Kitikmeot Region, Northwest Passage, Canada, fill a pan-Arctic gap

et al. 2022

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Kelps play important roles in ecosystems as they provide structural habitat and protection, and supply food. Given these beneficial roles and observed increases in seaweed biomass and distribution ranges across the Arctic, mapping kelp occurrence around Arctic coasts is both timely and necessary for future conservation. Here, we fill spatial gaps in the knowledge of kelp distribution in the southern Northwest Passage, Canadian Arctic Archipelago; specifically, we report the occurrence of Laminaria solidungula, Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta from Victoria and Dease straits and Bathurst Inlet in the Kitikmeot Region at depths mostly from 10 to 30 m (max. 40 m; upper extent vessel-limited). Kelp specimens were found at bottom water temperatures from sub-zero to 1 °C (surface-T to ~ 6 °C) and bottom water salinities of ~ 28 (surface-S < 20) in August–September. Kelp sites were characterized by both strong tidal currents (max. estimates from a tidal model 20–70 cm s−1 in center of passages) and hard substrates, interspersed with finer sediments. Co-occurring identifiable epibenthos was dominated by suspension-feeders preferring currents (sea cucumbers, soft corals, Hiatella clams), potential kelp consumers (sea urchins Strongylocentrotus sp., Margarites snails, limpets) and predatory invertebrates (sea stars, lyre crabs). At the same and some deeper nearby sites, loose kelp fragments were also found at the seabed, suggesting that kelps contribute to the regional detrital food web by supplying carbon to less productive sites. Kelps in the region may expand their ranges and/or growing season with reduced ice cover and warming, although constraints through local turbidity sources, extreme temperatures, low salinity and low nutrient concentrations are also recognized.

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Application of computer-aided tomography techniques to visualize kelp holdfast structure reveals the importance of habitat complexity for supporting marine biodiversity

Cited by 10 publications

References 62 publications

Three‐dimensional interstitial space mediates predator foraging success in different spatial arrangements

Three‐dimensional interstitial space mediates predator foraging success in different spatial arrangements

From individuals to communities: Habitat complexity affects all levels of organization in aquatic environments

New distribution records of kelp in the Kitikmeot Region, Northwest Passage, Canada, fill a pan-Arctic gap

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