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Density dependence, spatial scale and patterning in sessile biota

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Abstract

Sessile biota can compete with or facilitate each other, and the interaction of facilitation and competition at different spatial scales is key to developing spatial patchiness and patterning. We examined density and scale dependence in a patterned, soft sediment mussel bed. We followed mussel growth and density at two spatial scales separated by four orders of magnitude. In summer, competition was important at both scales. In winter, there was net facilitation at the small scale with no evidence of density dependence at the large scale. The mechanism for facilitation is probably density dependent protection from wave dislodgement. Intraspecific interactions in soft sediment mussel beds thus vary both temporally and spatially. Our data support the idea that pattern formation in ecological systems arises from competition at large scales and facilitation at smaller scales, so far only shown in vegetation systems. The data, and a simple, heuristic model, also suggest that facilitative interactions in sessile biota are mediated by physical stress, and that interactions change in strength and sign along a spatial or temporal gradient of physical stress.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Kim Mould of Myti Mussels for use of the field site and the setting up of the experiment, to Gwynne Parry-Jones and members of CREAM for field work, and to Johan van de Koppel for helpful comments on several drafts. JG and CS are supported by grants from BBSRC and DEFRA and HB was supported by a grant from NERC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales Bangor Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AY, UK

    Joanna C. Gascoigne, Camille Saurel & Michel J. Kaiser

  2. Natural Environment Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN21EU, UK

    Helen A. Beadman

Authors
  1. Joanna C. Gascoigne
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  2. Helen A. Beadman
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  3. Camille Saurel
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  4. Michel J. Kaiser
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joanna C. Gascoigne.

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Communicated by Martin Attrill

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Gascoigne, J.C., Beadman, H.A., Saurel, C. et al. Density dependence, spatial scale and patterning in sessile biota. Oecologia 145, 371–381 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-005-0137-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-005-0137-x

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