Comparative trends and ecological patterns of rocky subtidal communities in the Swedish and Norwegian Skagerrak area

Abstract

Inside the COST 647 Rocky Subtidal Programme, as well as before this came into operation, a co-operation has been developed between Swedish and Norwegian groups working with rocky subtidal ecology in the Skagerrak area. Along a coastline of more than 300 km, and additional large fjord systems, natural fixed-site rocky subtidal communities have been stereophotographically recorded more or less seasonally over a considerable number of years (15 in Sweden and 7 in Norway). Additional experimental studies have been undertaken in situ.

Inter-site comparisons revealed many examples of co-variation in long-term population fluctuations. A common 7-year cyclic pattern was clearly illustrated for the ascidian Cioona intestinalis and the echinoid Echinus esculentus. Similar long-term trends were found in populations of Asterias rubens, Ascidia mentula, Sabella penicillus, Crania anomala and Protantea simplex over the time periods available for comparison. Locally deviating populations were also found, however.

Major structuring factors, as well as key species, appeared to be largely the same over the geographic range studied. By comparing all of our results (mostly based on already published data), recruitment and predation were found to be the most important locally organizing factors. Recruitment strategies and patterns in-fluenced both community structure and long-term trends. Predation by echinoderms and gastropods modified the structure of established communities. The common key predator in the area, Asterias rubens, largely influenced community structure by selective predation on the dominant competitors Ciona intestinalis and Mytilus edulis which, in the absence of predation, appeared to be highly capable of substrate monopolization in various parts of the studied communities, depending on depth and exposure.

The results indicate the existence of large-scale structuring factors, probably linked to climatic events. This is considered as an important pre-requisite for the future recognition and understanding of local deviations, e.g. as results of pollution. This study also pinpoints some species and processes that should be focussed upon in monitoring programs.