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Species interactions and environmental context affect intraspecific behavioural trait variation and ecosystem

Camilla Cassidy¹, Laura J Grange², Clement Garcia³

¹School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences

|January 30, 2020

Summary

Ecological traits vary based on environmental context and species interactions. Understanding these context-dependent variations is crucial for accurate ecosystem functioning predictions.

Keywords:

bioturbation community composition functional diversity functional traits intraspecific variation trait expression

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Area of Science:

Marine ecology
Ecosystem functioning
Benthic invertebrate biology

Background:

Functional trait-based approaches are vital for ecological studies but often assume constant trait expression.
This assumption overlooks the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on trait variability.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how biotic (density) and abiotic (environmental history) contexts influence trait expression in benthic invertebrates.
To assess the impact of context-dependent trait variation on ecosystem functioning, specifically sediment nutrient release.

Main Methods:

Utilized PERMANOVA to analyze the effects of species identity, density, and local environmental history.
Examined individual traits (righting, burrowing) and community traits (particle reworking, burrow ventilation) in two brittlestar species.
Quantified effects on ecosystem functioning (sediment nutrient release).

Main Results:

Trait expression varied significantly with biotic and abiotic context in both individual and community levels.
Increased density led to enhanced righting, burial behavior, and particle reworking, impacting nutrient generation.
Species-specific and site-specific differences influenced the magnitude of these effects.

Conclusions:

Trait expression and ecosystem functioning are shaped by prevailing and historical conditions, not fixed typologies.
Incorporating context-dependent variation, including intraspecific differences, is essential for reliable ecosystem functioning projections.
Future trait-based studies must account for environmental and biotic influences to accurately predict ecosystem service delivery.