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Long term effects of Ascophyllum nodosum canopy removal on mid shore community structure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2004

S.R. Jenkins ,
T.A. Norton  and
S.J. Hawkins
S.R. Jenkins
Affiliation:
Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
T.A. Norton
Affiliation:
Port Erin Marine Laboratory (University of Liverpool), Port Erin, Isle of Man, IM9 6JA, UK
S.J. Hawkins
Affiliation:
Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
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Abstract

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The long term effects of macroalgal canopy removal on community composition were investigated over a 12 year period. Experimental removal of the dominant Ascophyllum nodosum canopy led to short term changes in community composition, the major features of which were still apparent 12 years later. Ascophyllum was slow to recover despite high recruitment, and experimental plots were dominated by Fucus species. After 12 years a mixed assemblage of Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum had developed. Canopy removal resulted in a change in the balance between grazing limpets and the cover of red algal turf in the understorey community. The cover of turfing algae declined significantly allowing the area grazed by limpets to extend. This led to a 3–6 fold increase in the limpet population 12 years after canopy removal.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 84 , Issue 2 , April 2004 , pp. 327 - 329
Copyright
2004 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom