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What controls connectivity? An empirical, multi-species approach
Paola C López-Duarte1, Henry S Carson, Geoffrey S Cook
1Marine Field Station, Institute of Marine and Cosatal Sciences, Rutgers University, Tuckerton, NJ 08087, USA. lopez-duarte@rutgers.edu
Integrative and Comparative Biology
|August 14, 2012
Summary
Marine metapopulation connectivity was studied for seven species in San Diego. Dispersal patterns showed common trends, with local factors influencing population dynamics and informing conservation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Conservation biology
- Population dynamics
Background:
- Connectivity, the exchange of individuals among habitat patches, is crucial for marine metapopulation conservation.
- Elemental fingerprinting has been used to study connectivity patterns for various marine species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate connectivity patterns for seven species in San Diego County using elemental fingerprinting.
- To compare dispersal patterns across species and assess the influence of location, circulation, and temporal variability.
- To link connectivity with metapopulation dynamics for select species.
Main Methods:
- Elemental fingerprinting over 12 years along the San Diego coastline and bays.
- Studied seven species: mussels, oyster, crab, and fishes.
- Linked connectivity-demographic analyses for mussels and fishes.
Main Results:
- Common trends included 15-35 km along-shore dispersal and seasonal directional changes mirroring circulation.
- Back-bay populations showed greater isolation, while front bays had significant ocean exchange.
- High self-recruitment occurred on the open coast and in southern bays; connectivity influenced vital rates but was rarely the primary driver.
Conclusions:
- Local management actions, such as habitat protection and lagoon management, can be effective.
- Consistent larval sources and nurseries exist, but few common sink sites were identified.
- Regional, multi-species assessments are needed for ecosystem-based management.
