Aline Migné, François Bordeyne, Dominique DavoultPlease use the format "First name initials family name" as in "Marie S. Curie, Niels H. D. Bohr, Albert Einstein, John R. R. Tolkien, Donna T. Strickland"
<p>Ecological succession involves the transition from opportunistic ephemeral species, which display a minimal variation in functional traits, to slow growing, more functionally diverse, perennial species. The present study aimed in measuring the functional effect of changes in the community structure through succession and to compare the timing of successional sequences in communities dominated by canopy-forming algae established at two levels of the emersion gradient in a rocky shore. Granite slabs were set at two tidal levels, in the Fucus vesiculosus and F. serratus areas, in February 2013. Communities settled on the slabs during the first year exhibited low Fucus density (≈ 6 ind m-2), low taxa richness (≈ 17 taxa) and low metabolic activity (gross primary production, GPP, about 100 mg C m-2 h-1) at both levels. Communities established on the slabs were similar to the surrounding communities for the 5 and 3 following years in the F. vesiculosus and F. serratus area respectively. Communities were then characterized by high Fucus density (≈ 35 and 67 ind m-2), high taxa richness (≈ 26 and 39 taxa) and high metabolic activity (GPP ≈ 350 and 550 mg C m-2 h-1). However, Fucus populations did not persist on slabs on which communities turned into limpet dominated, with low Fucus density, low taxa richness and low metabolic activity. 10 years after the slabs setting, limpet densities averaged 34 and 92 ind m-2. Given the long life-span of Fucus and Patella, the survey needs to be pursued to test for cyclical changes of dominance. </p>
Biodiversity, Colonization, Community ecology, Ecological successions, Ecosystem functioning, Experimental ecology, Marine ecology
Stuart Jenkins s.jenkins@bangor.ac.uk, Francisco Arenas farenas@ciimar.up.pt, Markus Molis markus.molis@uit.no, Matthew Bracken m.bracken@uci.edu, Vikas Pandey suggested: Dilip kumar jha dilipjhaniot@gmail.com, Vikas Pandey suggested: Rajkiran Lakra rajkiranlakra@gmail.com, Stuart Jenkins suggested: John Griffin j.n.griffin@swansea.ac.uk, Stuart Jenkins suggested: Abby Gilson gilsona@tcd.ie
e.g. John Doe john@doe.com
No need for them to be recommenders of PCIEcology. Please do not suggest reviewers for whom there might be a conflict of interest. Reviewers are not allowed to review preprints written by close colleagues (with whom they have published in the last four years, with whom they have received joint funding in the last four years, or with whom they are currently writing a manuscript, or submitting a grant proposal), or by family members, friends, or anyone for whom bias might affect the nature of the review - see the code of conduct Thomas Guillemaud, John Griffin, Ignasi Bartomeus, Dilip kumar jha , Abby Gilson , Francisco Arenas, Markus Molis , Matthew Bracken
