Species‐specific mediation of temperature and community interactions by multiple foundation species

Abstract

Foundation species can provide habitat that modify abiotic and biotic processes that contribute to ecosystem function. While many studies have focused on the processes and consequences of a focal foundation species, understanding the ecological equivalence of co-occurring foundation species is important to identify key species responsible for ecosystem function. Here, we investigated the relative contributions of co-occurring foundation species on abiotic (temperature) and biotic responses of invertebrate species (recruitment, persistence, growth and survival). In a series of experimental field studies, we manipulated foundation species to measure invertebrate recruitment, persistence, and predation. A laboratory experiment measured foundation species effects on herbivore growth. Results demonstrated that macroalgal (Fucus vesiculosus ecad and Ascophyllum nodosum ecad scorpioides) intermediate foundation species provide habitat, food, and alleviate abiotic stress for dominant littorinid herbivores that surpass that provided by the primary species (Spartina alterniflora). These foundation effects were species-specific with F. vesiculosus ecad important for early life-history stages (enhanced recruitment and early growth of littorinid snails) and A. nodosum ecad important later on as a refuge from predators (Carcinus meanas) and stressful temperature. Understanding of the different effects of co-occurring foundation species on population and community processes is necessary for predicting community response to natural disturbance, species invasion, and ecosystem-based management actions.

Successional patterns of hard-bottom macrobenthic communities at kelp bed (Lessonia trabeculata) and barren ground sublittoral systems

“…The process is better perceived after the occurrence of disturbance that has removed biomass and/or created vacant habitats (Connell and Slatyer, 1977), where the interaction between different colonisers modifies and builds their own immediate physical environment (Odum, 1969;Levins and Lewontin, 1985;Dijkstra et al, 2012). Understanding the development of communities throughout succession has received a renewed interest nowadays because the effects of disturbances may have synergistic effects with the consequences of climate change and the current loss of biodiversity (Maggi et al, 2011;Prach and Walker, 2011).…”

Foundation species' overlap enhances biodiversity and multifunctionality from the patch to landscape scale in southeastern United States salt marshes

“…In being structured by dominant grasses and, often, bivalve and macroalgae secondary foundation species [20,23,30], salt marshes are a suitable system for investigating the relationships between foundation species' overlap, biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. In the southeastern USA, Spartina alterniflora (hereafter, cordgrass) generates much of the three-dimensional structure of salt marsh habitats.…”

Modeling foundation species in food webs

“…To make explicit linkages between trophic and non-trophic interactions, we model the metabolic rate of individual ''species'' as a function of foundation species biomass. Metabolic rate is good proxy for a wide variety of positive non-trophic species interactions (sensu Kéfi et al 2012), because ''stressful conditions'' may be reduced when foundation species ameliorate temperature extremes, provide associated species with habitat resources or shelters, or enhance their growth rate (Schiel 2006, Shelton 2010, Gedan et al 2011, Angelini and Silliman 2012, Dijkstra et al 2012, Noumi et al 2012, Butterfield et al 2013.…”