ISSN:
1432-1939
Keywords:
Rocky shores
;
Sand inundation
;
Species richness
;
Habitat heterogeneity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Many rocky shores are subject to periodic inundation by sand, which is often thought to reduce species richness by eliminating organisms intolerant of sand scour or sand smothering. However, regular disturbance (e.g. inundation) should promote richness by preventing the development of low diversity climax communities. A study of faunal richness on 10 regularly inundated shores showed that inundation does promote richness, but by increasing habitat heterogeneity. Some species are excluded from parts of the shore by sand, but because of the patchiness of sand deposits they are rarely excluded from the entire shore. Other species are found only on rocks associated with sand, while typically sandy shore animals occur in the sand deposits themselves. Total richness (281 species) was greater than for local noninundated shores and sandy beaches combined.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00665608
Permalink
