Publication Date:
2016-09-06
Description:
Local dynamics such as resource enhancement (e.g. nutrient supply) and stochastic events of destruction
(disturbances that provide new space) are hypothesized to counteractively affect species diversity and
composition.We tested the independent and interactive effects of nutrients and disturbance on the development of
assemblages of epibiota attached to vertical surfaces in an oligotrophic system. Nutrient concentrations were
manipulated at three levels (ambient, medium and high) while disturbance was manipulated by removing biomass
at seven frequencies (0x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 7x, 12x). Nutrient and disturbance regimes had opposing effects on
diversity such that species richness increased with resource enhancement (nutrients) and declined with
disturbance. These results support the model that increased heterogeneity of distribution of limiting resources
allows the coexistence of species with low and high resource requirements.
Type:
Article
,
PeerReviewed
Format:
text
DOI:
10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01866.x
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