Publication Date:
2022-05-25
Description:
Author Posting. © University of Chicago Press, 2004. This article is posted here by permission of University of Chicago Press for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in American Naturalist 164 (2004): E46-E61.
Description:
We present a Markov chain model of succession in a
rocky subtidal community based on a long-term (1986–1994) study
of subtidal invertebrates (14 species) at Ammen Rock Pinnacle in
the Gulf of Maine. The model describes successional processes (disturbance,
colonization, species persistence, and replacement), the
equilibrium (stationary) community, and the rate of convergence.
We described successional dynamics by species turnover rates, recurrence
times, and the entropy of the transition matrix. We used
perturbation analysis to quantify the response of diversity to successional
rates and species removals. The equilibrium community
was dominated by an encrusting sponge (Hymedesmia) and a bryozoan
(Crisia eburnea). The equilibrium structure explained 98% of
the variance in observed species frequencies. Dominant species have
low probabilities of disturbance and high rates of colonization and
persistence. On average, species turn over every 3.4 years. Recurrence
times varied among species (7–268 years); rare species had the longest
recurrence times. The community converged to equilibrium quickly
(9.5 years), as measured by Dobrushin’s coefficient of ergodicity. The
largest changes in evenness would result from removal of the dominant
sponge Hymedesmia. Subdominant species appear to increase
evenness by slowing the dominance of Hymedesmia. Comparison of
the subtidal community with intertidal and coral reef communities
revealed that disturbance rates are an order of magnitude higher in
coral reef than in rocky intertidal and subtidal communities. Colonization
rates and turnover times, however, are lowest and longest in coral reefs, highest and shortest in intertidal communities, and
intermediate in subtidal communities.
Description:
This research was supported
by National Science Foundation grants DEB-9527400, OCE-981267, OCE-9302238, and OCE-0083976
and by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
National Undersea Research Program, University
of Connecticut—Avery Point.
Keywords:
Markov chain
;
Sensitivity analysis
;
Transition matrix
;
Species diversity
;
Entropy
;
Dobrushin’s coefficient
Repository Name:
Woods Hole Open Access Server
Type:
Article
Format:
457683 bytes
Format:
application/pdf
