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Changes in Diversity and Ecosystem Functioning During Succession

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Marine Hard Bottom Communities

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 206))

Abstract

This chapter summarises spatial and temporal changes of colonisation processes, in addition to the modes of succession proposed by Connell and Slatyer (i.e. facilitation, inhibition and tolerance) and subsequent studies. Processes creating space for colonisation are described. The early microbial phase of colonisation on natural rock is examined. Subsequent colonisations by macrobiota on intertidal rocky shore and in rockpools are addressed with emphasis on the role herbivores play on successional sequences. Changes in species diversity and the associated consequences for ecosystem functioning are discussed in relation to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and the variations in biomass, species identity and richness throughout succession. Although patterns of succession are well identified, a full understanding of the functional consequences of these changes is still to be gained.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a NERC funded Fellowship at The Marine Biological Association of the UK, NERC standard grant NE/B504649/1 to SJH, RCT and SRJ, MARBEF, NERC’s Oceans 2025 Theme 4 (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning) and The European Marie Curie Research Training Fellowship MAS3-CT98-5055.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Marine Biological Association of the UK, Citadel Hill, PL1 2PB, Plymouth, UK

    Laure M.-L.J. Noël, Paula S. Moschella & Stephen J. Hawkins

  2. Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Marine Institute, School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA, Plymouth, UK

    John N. Griffin & Richard C. Thompson

  3. Commission Internationale pour l’Exploration Scientifi que de la Mer Méditerranée, 16 Bd de Suisse, 98000, MC, Monaco

    Stephen J. Hawkins

  4. School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, LL59 5AB, Anglesey, UK

    Stuart R. Jenkins

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  1. Laure M.-L.J. Noël
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  2. John N. Griffin
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  3. Paula S. Moschella
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  4. Stuart R. Jenkins
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  5. Richard C. Thompson
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  6. Stephen J. Hawkins
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Correspondence to Laure M.-L.J. Noël .

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    Noël, L.ML., Griffin, J.N., Moschella, P.S., Jenkins, S.R., Thompson, R.C., Hawkins, S.J. (2009). Changes in Diversity and Ecosystem Functioning During Succession. In: Wahl, M. (eds) Marine Hard Bottom Communities. Ecological Studies, vol 206. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b76710_15

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