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Habitat structure mediates biodiversity effects on ecosystem properties.
J A Godbold1, M T Bulling, M Solan
1Oceanlab, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire AB41 6AA, UK. j.a.godbold@abdn.ac.uk
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|January 14, 2011
Summary
Marine biodiversity experiments in complex habitats reveal that animal movement and patch selection alter species distribution. This impacts ecosystem processes at local scales but enhances overall ecosystem functioning at larger scales.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Ecosystem science
- Biodiversity research
Background:
- Biodiversity's role in ecosystem function is often studied in simplified environments.
- Existing research frequently overlooks habitat structure and natural community dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how species composition, resource heterogeneity, and patch connectivity affect ecosystem properties.
- To examine these effects at both patch and multi-patch scales in a model marine benthic system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized varied habitat configurations in a marine benthic model system.
- Observed effects of fauna movement and patch selection on species composition and density.
- Assessed ecosystem properties like bioturbation intensity and nutrient concentration.
Main Results:
- Fauna movement and patch selection altered local species composition and density.
- Negative effects on patch-scale ecosystem processes (bioturbation intensity) were observed.
- Positive effects on multi-patch scale ecosystem functioning (nutrient concentration) were found.
Conclusions:
- Community dynamics are influenced by localized resource heterogeneity and habitat structure.
- Small-scale habitat variations impact species' contributions to larger-scale ecosystem properties.
- Habitat complexity acts as a disturbance buffer, potentially requiring revised biodiversity estimates for future ecosystems.
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