Effects of habitat-forming species richness, evenness, identity, and abundance on benthic intertidal community establishment and productivity.

ABSTRACT: In a context of reduced global biodiversity, the potential impacts from the loss of habitat-forming species (HFS) on ecosystem structure and functioning must be established. These species are often the main community primary producers and have a major role in the establishment of organisms through facilitation processes. This study focuses on macroalgae and mussels as HFS within an intertidal zone along the St. Lawrence estuary (Quebec, Canada). Over a 16-week period, we manipulated the in situ diversity profile (richness, evenness, identity, and abundance) of the dominant HFS (Fucus distichus edentatus, F. vesiculosus, and Mytilus spp.) in order to define their role in both the establishment of associated species and community primary production. Contrary to expectation, no general change

SUBMITTER: Lemieux J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4196772 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature