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Multi‐scale habitat modification by coexisting ecosystem engineers drives spatial separation of macrobenthic functional groups
Author(s) -
Donadi Serena,
van der Heide Tjisse,
Piersma Theunis,
van der Zee Els M.,
Weerman Ellen J.,
van de Koppel Johan,
Olff Han,
Devine Clare,
Hernawan Udhi E.,
Boers Myra,
Planthof Linda,
Klemens Eriksson Britas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
oikos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1600-0706
pISSN - 0030-1299
DOI - 10.1111/oik.02100
Subject(s) - ecosystem engineer , cerastoderma edule , habitat , ecology , ecosystem , arenicola , intertidal zone , mytilus , spatial ecology , biology , environmental science , bivalvia , mollusca
By changing habitat conditions, ecosystem engineers increase niche diversity and have profound effects on the distribution and abundances of other organisms. Although many ecosystems contain several engineering species, it is still unclear how the coexistence of multiple engineers affects the physical habitat and the structure of the community on a landscape scale. Here, we investigated through a large‐scale field manipulation how three coexisting engineers on intertidal flats (cockles Cerastoderma edule ; lugworms Arenicola marina ; blue mussels Mytilus edulis ) influence the functional composition of the local macrobenthic community and what the consequences are at the landscape level. By using biological trait analysis (BTA), we show that on the local scale biogenic changes in sediment accumulation and organic matter content translated into specific shifts in the distribution of functional traits within the community. At a landscape scale, the co‐occurrence of multiple ecosystem engineers resulted in the spatial separation of different functional groups, i.e. different functional groups dominated unique complementary habitats. Our results emphasize the role of co‐occurring multiple engineers in shaping natural communities, thus contributing to a better knowledge of community assembly rules. This understanding can profitably be used to improve ecosystem‐based management and conservation actions.