Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
11:56
Historical View and Physiology Demonstration at the NMJ of the Crayfish Opener Muscle
Published on: November 9, 2009
Trait-dependent modification of facilitation on cobble beaches
Andrew D Irving1, Mark D Bertness
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Box G-W, Providence, Rhode Island 02906, USA. irving.andrew@saugov.sa.gov.au
Ecology
|December 9, 2009
Summary
Foundation species traits, like cordgrass density and peat, significantly influence their ability to facilitate other plant species. Understanding these traits is crucial for predicting species interactions and guiding conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Community Ecology
- Plant Ecology
Background:
- Positive species interactions, including facilitation and mutualism, are vital for structuring ecological communities.
- Foundation species, like cordgrass, create habitats but how their specific traits affect facilitation is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how traits of the foundation species *Spartina alterniflora* influence its facilitation of halophytic forbs.
- To test if cordgrass shoot density, height, and peat affect the survival and growth of associated forb species.
Main Methods:
- Field observations and experimental manipulations were used in New England cobble beach plant communities.
- The study examined the impact of *Spartina alterniflora* shoot density, presence of peat, and their combination on forb life stages.
Main Results:
- Increased *Spartina alterniflora* shoot density positively impacted both seedling and adult stages of the forb *Suaeda linearis*.
- The presence of cordgrass peat, especially with shoots, significantly enhanced forb performance, indicating trait-mediated facilitation.
Conclusions:
- Cordgrass traits, specifically shoot density and peat, directly modify the strength of facilitation for associated forb species.
- Understanding foundation species traits is essential for accurate ecological modeling, predicting species interactions, and informing conservation strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:04Social Facilitation
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
01:35Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
01:25Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
01:22Effect of Sea Water on Concrete
Concrete exposed to seawater can undergo degradation like the dissolution of ettringite and gypsum, increasing the material's porosity and decreasing its strength. In contrast, the crystallization of salts within the concrete's pores can cause expansion, particularly above the waterline where evaporation occurs. Nonetheless, this expansion only happens when seawater, enabled by the concrete's permeability, manages to infiltrate the structure.
Concrete in areas between tide marks, which undergo...
Concrete in areas between tide marks, which undergo...
01:59Lagging Strand Synthesis
During replication, the complementary strands in double-stranded DNA are synthesized at different rates. Replication first begins on the leading strand. Replication starts later, occurs more slowly, and proceeds discontinuously on the lagging strand.
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...
01:59Lagging Strand Synthesis
During replication, the complementary strands in double-stranded DNA are synthesized at different rates. Replication first begins on the leading strand. Replication starts later, occurs more slowly, and proceeds discontinuously on the lagging strand.
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...