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Effects of patch shape in intertidal algal mosaics: roles of area, perimeter and distance from edge

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Abstract

Shape is considered an important attribute of patches, but little attention has been paid to its influence on the structure and dynamics of rocky shore assemblages. Effects of patch shape were investigated from September 1997 to June 1998 in algal assemblages on intertidal shores at Cape Banks, south of Sydney (NSW, Australia). Three experiments were established, in order to separately investigate the importance of three different characteristics of patch shape, namely area, perimeter and distance of the central zone from the edge. In each experiment, responses for sets of replicate patches that differed on average for only one shape characteristic were compared. Patches of different shapes were produced by scraping off all resident organisms, and subsequent colonisation was recorded. The range of shapes naturally occurring at the study sites was also measured over 1 year, and the shapes of plots used in the experiments were chosen to cover this range of natural variability. Shapes of natural patches within assemblages were very variable. Consistent differences were observed in patch size, geometry and characteristics of the substratum among sheltered and exposed shores and among different times of the year, suggesting that different disturbances influence the dynamics of assemblages at these sites. The results of the three experiments showed that shape may have important effects on patch colonisation. Area, perimeter and distance of the central zone from the edge significantly affected growth of algae in experimental clearings. Responses to different patch characteristics were species specific. Effects of different attributes of patch shape also varied over time. This spatial and temporal variability of responses suggests that colonisation processes of patches of different shapes are complex, probably involving effects that can produce contrasting results. Results are relevant to the design and interpretation of field experiments, as they suggest that the shape of plots may affect the perception of patterns and processes in intertidal assemblages.

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Acknowledgements

The research was supported by funding of the Australian Research Council to A. J. Underwood, by funds from the Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, and by a postdoctoral grant (Assegno di Ricerca) of the University of Bologna to L. Airoldi, the latter while writing the paper. I wish to thank M.W. Beck, T.M. Glasby, A.J. Underwood and an anonymous referee for their careful reviews of the manuscript and important suggestions. I wish to thank A.J. Underwood for the initiatives and concepts on which the project was based, and the idea that different components of shape should be examined separately. I also wish to thank S. Neal, M. Abbiati and J. Cunningam for assistance with the field work, A. Millar for help with the identification of algae and V.U. Ceccherelli who provided space and facilities at the Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali in Ravenna of the Università di Bologna. I am particularly grateful to S. Neal for sharing many hours of hard work and for her friendly encouragement, and to V. Nonni for her invaluable assistance and support to pursue my work.

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  1. Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, University of Sydney, Australia

    L. Airoldi

  2. Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali di Ravenna and Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica Sperimentale, University of Bologna, Via dell'Agricoltura 5, 48100, Ravenna, Italy

    L. Airoldi

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Correspondence to L. Airoldi.

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Communicated by R. Cattaneo-Vietti, Genova

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Airoldi, L. Effects of patch shape in intertidal algal mosaics: roles of area, perimeter and distance from edge. Marine Biology 143, 639–650 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-003-1119-3

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