Extensive spatial impacts of oyster reefs on an intertidal mudflat community via predator facilitation
Reddin CJ, Decottignies P, Bacouillard L, Barille L, Dubois SF, Echappe C, Gernez P, Jesus B, Meleder V, Nätscher P, Turpin V, Zeppilli D, Zwerschke N, Brind'Amour A, Cognie B (2022)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2022
Journal
Book Volume: 5
Article Number: 250
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03192-4
Abstract
Habitat engineers make strong and far-reaching imprints on ecosystem processes. In intertidal mudflats, the dominant primary producer, microphytobenthos (MPB), often forms high biomass patches around oyster reefs. We evaluate multiple hypotheses linking MPB with oyster reefs, including oyster biodeposition, meiofaunal grazing, and abiotic factors, aiming to help predict effects of reef removal or proliferation. We quantify spatial patterns of an Atlantic mudflat community and its environment around two large Crassostrea reefs before experimentally sacrificing one reef via burning. MPB biomass was enriched surrounding living oyster reefs although infaunal biomass and individual sizes were low. Structural equation modelling best supported the hypothesis that crab predation intensity, which decayed with distance from the reefs, locally freed MPB from grazing. Our results suggest that Crassostrea reef expansion may enrich local MPB patches and redirect trophic energy flows away from mudflat infauna, with potential implications for the sustainability of local fisheries and bird conservation.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Université de Nantes
France (FR)
French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer)
France (FR)
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
United Kingdom (GB)
France (FR)
French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer)
France (FR)
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
United Kingdom (GB)
How to cite
APA:
Reddin, C.J., Decottignies, P., Bacouillard, L., Barille, L., Dubois, S.F., Echappe, C.,... Cognie, B. (2022). Extensive spatial impacts of oyster reefs on an intertidal mudflat community via predator facilitation. Communications Biology, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03192-4
MLA:
Reddin, Carl J., et al. "Extensive spatial impacts of oyster reefs on an intertidal mudflat community via predator facilitation." Communications Biology 5.1 (2022).
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