Density-Dependent and Species-Specific Effects on Self-Organization Modulate the Resistance of Mussel Bed Ecosystems to Hydrodynamic Stress

TY - JOUR

T1 - Density-Dependent and Species-Specific Effects on Self-Organization Modulate the Resistance of Mussel Bed Ecosystems to Hydrodynamic Stress

AU - Zardi, G.I.

AU - Nicastro, K.R.

AU - McQuaid, C.D.

AU - de Jager, M.

AU - Van de Koppel, J.

AU - Seuront, L.

N1 - 7138, AnE; Data archiving: data archived at Dryad (no NIOO data)

PY - 2021/5

Y1 - 2021/5

N2 - Self-organized, regular spatial patterns emerging from local interactions among individuals enhance the ability of ecosystems to respond to environmental disturbances. Mussels self-organize to form large, regularly patterned biogenic structures that modify the biotic and abiotic environment and provide numerous ecosystem functions and services. We used two mussel species that form monospecific and mixed beds to investigate how species-specific behavior affects self-organization and resistance to wave stress. Perna perna has strong attachment but low motility, while Mytilus galloprovincialis shows the reverse. At low density, the less motile P. perna has limited spatial self-organization compared with M. galloprovincialis, while when coexisting, the two species formed random spatial patterns. At high density, the two species self-organized in similar ways, while when coexisting, patterns were less strong. Spatial pattern formations significantly shaped resistance to hydrodynamic stress. At low density, P. perna beds with strong attachment and M. galloprovincialis beds with strong spatial organization showed higher retention rates than mixed beds. At high density, the presence of strongly attached P. perna significantly increased retention in mixed and P. perna beds compared with M. galloprovincialis beds. Our study emphasizes the importance of the interplay of species-specific behaviors to spatial self-organization and stress tolerance in natural communities.

AB - Self-organized, regular spatial patterns emerging from local interactions among individuals enhance the ability of ecosystems to respond to environmental disturbances. Mussels self-organize to form large, regularly patterned biogenic structures that modify the biotic and abiotic environment and provide numerous ecosystem functions and services. We used two mussel species that form monospecific and mixed beds to investigate how species-specific behavior affects self-organization and resistance to wave stress. Perna perna has strong attachment but low motility, while Mytilus galloprovincialis shows the reverse. At low density, the less motile P. perna has limited spatial self-organization compared with M. galloprovincialis, while when coexisting, the two species formed random spatial patterns. At high density, the two species self-organized in similar ways, while when coexisting, patterns were less strong. Spatial pattern formations significantly shaped resistance to hydrodynamic stress. At low density, P. perna beds with strong attachment and M. galloprovincialis beds with strong spatial organization showed higher retention rates than mixed beds. At high density, the presence of strongly attached P. perna significantly increased retention in mixed and P. perna beds compared with M. galloprovincialis beds. Our study emphasizes the importance of the interplay of species-specific behaviors to spatial self-organization and stress tolerance in natural communities.

KW - international

KW - Plan_S-Compliant_NO

KW - Species interaction

KW - Stress tolerance

KW - Disturbance

KW - Spatial pattern

UR - https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2z34tmpkp

U2 - 10.1086/713738

DO - 10.1086/713738

M3 - Article

SN - 0003-0147

VL - 197

SP - 615

EP - 623

JO - American Naturalist

JF - American Naturalist

IS - 5

ER -