Spatial self-organized patterning in seagrasses along a depth gradient of an intertidal ecosystem
Tjisse van der Heide1, Tjeerd J Bouma, Egbert H van Nes
1Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands. t.van.der.heide@rug.nl
Ecology
|April 16, 2010
Summary
Seagrass patterns self-organize through scale-dependent feedback between plants and their environment. These spatial patterns predictably change with abiotic stress, indicating their potential as ecosystem stress indicators.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Marine Biology
- Ecosystem Dynamics
Background:
- Seagrass landscape patterns are often attributed to physical factors like hydrodynamics and light.
- The self-organization of seagrass patches into regular patterns requires further investigation into feedback mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if seagrass spatial patterns arise from feedback interactions with the abiotic environment.
- To determine if abiotic changes predictably alter these spatial patterns.
Main Methods:
- Field measurements in an intertidal ecosystem.
- Ecological experiments.
- Spatially explicit computer modeling.
Main Results:
- A scale-dependent feedback mechanism, involving local positive and long-range negative feedbacks, was identified as a cause for banded seagrass patterns.
- Seagrass cover and patch size were predictably affected by light limitation and desiccation stress.
- Empirical evidence supports self-organization in seagrass spatial patterns.
Conclusions:
- Seagrass spatial patterns result from self-organization driven by scale-dependent feedbacks.
- These patterns are sensitive to abiotic conditions, suggesting their use as ecosystem stress indicators.
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