Recovery after trampling disturbance in a canopy-forming seaweed population

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Rita Araujo (Author) Other; Isabel Sousa Pinto (Author) FCUP; Ester A Serrao (Author) Other; Per Aberg (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Marine Biology

Vol. 159

Pages: 697-707

ISSN: 0025-3162

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 17 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-C5T

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-011-1847-8

Abstract (EN): The recovery of Ascophyllum nodosum, and the associated benthic community, was followed after repeated trampling disturbance at different intensities, from 2005 to 2010, at its southern limit (41 degrees 41'27 '' N;8 degrees 50'57 '' W). The cover of A. nodosum and associated organisms and the demography of A. nodosum individuals in the most disturbed areas were followed over a recovery period of 54 months. Recovery of A. nodosum assemblages was negatively affected by increasing trampling intensity. After 54 months, the highest intensity plots were still significantly different from control plots. Growth and mortality rates of A. nodosum increased shortly after disturbance but progressively recovered to levels close to control plots. The results of this study demonstrate the sensitivity of this habitat-building species to human trampling and also show its plasticity to cope with disturbance events.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11