Tidal dynamics, topographic orientation, and temperature-mediated mass mortalities on rocky shores

Effects of eutrophication, grazing, and algal blooms on rocky shores

Eutrophication can profoundly change rocky shore communities. These changes often cause the replacement of perennial, canopy-forming algae such as Fucus spp. with annual, bloom-forming algae such as Enteromorpha spp. Grazing, however, can counteract eutrophication by eliminating the annual algae’s susceptible recruits. We examine these generalizations across large scales. We use replicated ‘‘bi...

Whole-Community Facilitation Regulates Biodiversity on Patagonian Rocky Shores

BACKGROUND Understanding the factors that generate and maintain biodiversity is a central goal in ecology. While positive species interactions (i.e., facilitation) have historically been underemphasized in ecological research, they are increasingly recognized as playing important roles in the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity. Dominant habitat-forming species (foundation species) buffer...

Predation by Crabs on Rocky Shores in North-east Atlantic

The Effects of Wave Exposure and Tidal Height on Rocky Intertidal Community Dynamics

Rocky intertidal ecosystems are impacted by many different abiotic and biotic factors. Specifically, both wave exposure and tidal height have been shown to have strong effects on the dynamics of intertidal communities. Wave exposure and tidal height have long been shown to limit the ranges and abundance of intertidal organisms, although the relative importance of the two factors and the relatio...

Linking patterns and processes across scales: the application of scale-transition theory to algal dynamics on rocky shores.

Understanding how species and environments respond to global anthropogenic disturbances is one of the greatest challenges for contemporary ecology. The ability to integrate modeling, correlative and experimental approaches within individual research programs will be key to address large-scale, long-term environmental problems. Scale-transition theory (STT) enables this level of integration, pro...