Effects of harvesting and an invasive mussel on intertidal rocky shore communities based on historical and spatial comparisons.

ABSTRACT: Intertidal rocky shores are the most accessible marine habitats and therefore heavily impacted by harvesting. In recent years, they have also been increasingly invaded by alien species, which compounds the effects of harvesting on rocky shore community composition and functioning. Recent survey data, combined with historical data from 1970, were used to assess temporal changes over the intervening period in rocky shore communities at two sites (Wireless Point and Wireless Island). Three kinds of changes emerged: (1) the appearance of alien species; (2) the effects of increased harvesting pressure; and (3) the direct and indirect effects of these changes on other species. A striking result was transformation of mid-shore zones on exposed shores by the appearance of the invasive Mediterranea

SUBMITTER: Baliwe NG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10852263 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature