Context dependence of marine ecosystem engineer invasion impacts on benthic ecosystem functioning |
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Authors: | Ana de Moura Queirós Jan Geert Hiddink Gareth Johnson Henrique Nogueira Cabral Michel Joseph Kaiser |
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Institution: | (1) School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Isle of Anglesey, Wales, LL59 5AB, UK;(2) Instituto de Oceanografia, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal |
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Abstract: | Introduced ecosystem engineers can severely modify the functioning on invaded systems. Species-level effects on ecosystem
functioning (EF) are context dependent, but the effects of introduced ecosystem engineers are frequently assessed through
single-location studies. The present work aimed to identify sources of context-dependence that can regulate the impacts of
invasive ecosystem engineers on ecosystem functioning. As model systems, four locations where the bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams and Reeve) has been introduced were investigated, providing variability in habitat characteristics and community composition.
As a measure of ecosystem engineering, the relative contribution of this species to community bioturbation potential was quantified
at each site. The relevance of bioturbation to the local establishment of the mixing depth of marine sediments (used as a
proxy for EF) was quantified in order to determine the potential for impact of the introduced species at each site. We found
that R. philippinarum is one of the most important bioturbators within analysed communities, but the relative importance of this contribution at
the community level depended on local species composition. The net contribution of bioturbation to the establishment of sediment
mixing depths varied across sites depending on the presence of structuring vegetation, sediment granulometry and compaction.
The effects of vegetation on sediment mixing were previously unreported. These findings indicate that the species composition
of invaded communities, and the habitat characteristics of invaded systems, are important modulators of the impacts of introduced
species on ecosystem functioning. A framework that encompasses these aspects for the prediction of the functional impacts
of invasive ecosystem engineers is suggested, supporting a multi-site approach to invasive ecology studies concerned with
ecosystem functioning. |
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