Ms Louise Firth1, Charlotte Clubley, Alex McGrath, Emma Renshaw, Andy Foggo, Alexander Wilson, Paul Gribben, Amy Fowler, Josh Burgess, Svenja Heesch, Stephen Hawkins, Natasha Stephen, Dan Haspel, Amy Spain-Butler, Sophie Stuhrmann, Alice Newstead, Antony Knights
1University Of Plymouth
Ecosystem engineers have profound effects on ecosystem structure and functioning. Both habitat-formers and habitat-modifiers fall within this designation, but whilst habitat-formers are also recognized as habitat-modifiers, habitat-modifers are not typically recognised as habitat-formers. Limpets are well recognised important modifiers of benthic assemblages through their grazing but little is known about the potential role of their shells in providing habitat for competitors and prey. We show that limpets are simultaneous consumers and facilitators of algae on rocky shores, with species-specific outcomes. When limpets are abundant, only the most grazing-resistant algae persist on the rock, but when Patella ulyssiponensis is present, rich algal assemblages persist on their shells. This facilitatory role is less pronounced in other species (P. vulgata, P. depressa). Manipulative experiments suggest that aggressive behavior in P. ulyssiponensis mediates mutual grazing on shells, providing an important associational refuge for algae from consumption. P. vulgata shells provide an associational refuge for other limpets from competition on primary rock substrata. Limpets not only modify the surrounding environment, but that they also represent whole microcosms supporting diverse and dense epibiotic communities. Not only is this the case in natural habitats, but even more so in artificial environments where smooth engineered habitats like seawalls favor limpet dominance. This can lead to the emergence of “limpet barrens” (akin to subtidal urchin barrens), where high limpet densities coupled with maximal grazing efficiency prevents recruitment of other taxa. These results are not just relevant for theoretical ecology, but also for practical wildlife management in a changing world.
Presentation Slides – Louise Firth
Biography:
I am a marine ecologist who works in both natural and artificial coastal environments. I am interested in the relationship between humans and coastal ecosystems (Marine Community Ecology) and how this relationship has changed over time (Historical Ecology). I am particularly interested in developing novel ways of making space for nature in human-dominated environments (Eco-Engineering).
