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Low redundancy and complementarity shape ecosystem functioning in a low-diversity ecosystem.

Christopher J Henderson1, Ben L Gilby1, Thomas A Schlacher1

  • 1School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld, Australia.

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|November 24, 2019
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

In low-diversity estuaries, carrion consumption is driven by a single dominant species, the yellowfin bream. This suggests ecosystem function may not always depend on high biodiversity for coastal conservation.

Keywords:
biodiversitycarrion consumptionconservationestuariesfishscavengingurbanization

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Area of Science:

  • Marine ecology
  • Estuarine ecosystems
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

Background:

  • Ecosystem functioning is typically linked to biodiversity, especially in high-diversity systems like coral reefs.
  • The role of species interactions in maintaining ecosystem structure and resilience is crucial but less studied in low-diversity environments.
  • Estuaries, as low-diversity coastal ecosystems, are important for ecological functions like carrion consumption, influenced by human impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if ecological functions in low-diversity estuarine ecosystems are shaped by biodiversity.
  • To measure carrion consumption rates by estuarine scavengers as a key ecological function.
  • To understand the influence of species abundance and functional traits on estuarine ecosystem processes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized baited underwater video arrays to record scavenger activity and measure carrion consumption rates.
  • Surveyed 39 estuaries along 1,000 km of eastern Australian coastline.
  • Analyzed the correlation between scavenger abundance, species dominance, and carrion consumption.

Main Results:

  • Carrion consumption was significantly correlated with the abundance of a single species, the yellowfin bream (Acanthopagrus australis), which consumed 58% of all carrion.
  • Yellowfin bream exhibited higher carrion consumption in urban estuaries with moderately hardened shorelines and large subtidal rock bars.
  • Estuarine ecosystems demonstrated limited species redundancy and complementarity in functional traits, with one species dominating a key ecological function.

Conclusions:

  • Ecological functions in low-diversity estuarine systems can be maintained by a single dominant species, challenging the universal link between high biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
  • The preservation of functionally dominant species, like the yellowfin bream, may be critical for maintaining estuarine ecosystem functions and improving coastal conservation outcomes.
  • Findings suggest that conservation strategies for low-diversity coastal ecosystems might need to prioritize key functional species rather than solely focusing on overall biodiversity.