Effects of trampling on intertidal mussel beds: importance of disturbance intensity

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 606:231-235 (2018) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12770 NOTE Effects of trampling on intertidal mussel beds: importance of disturbance intensity María M. Mendez1,2,*, Juan P. Livore1, Gregorio Bigatti1,2,3 1Laboratorio de Reproducción y Biología Integrativa de Invertebrados Marinos (IBIOMAR-CCT CONICET CENPAT), U9120ACV Puerto Madryn, Argentina 2Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Sede Puerto Madryn, U9120ACV Puerto Madryn, Argentina 3Universidad Espíritu Santo, 092301 Samborondón, Ecuador *Corresponding author: mendez@cenpat-conicet.gob.ar ABSTRACT: Trampling is one of the most frequent forms of human disturbance on rocky shores. This activity may directly reduce the abundance of dominant species, indirectly promote changes in the abundance of associated species and ultimately affect biological interactions. We assessed the effects of different intensities of human trampling on Brachidontes spp. mussel beds, a dominant feature on rocky intertidal flats of southwestern Atlantic coasts. We experimentally applied 6 levels of trampling intensity on a Patagonian rocky shore. Simulated trampling intensity ranged from 0 to 600 tramples per day, and plots were disturbed replicating local usage patterns (i.e. austral summer weekend recreation). By the end of the experiment, Brachidontes spp. coverage decreased as a result of increasing intensities of trampling and mostly replaced by bare rock. Even the lowest experimental intensity produced a loss of more than 40% of coverage. Changes in coverage were generally immediate and occurred after the first 2 trampling events, regardless of disturbance intensity. Our findings highlight that as few as 5 people walking on the mid-intertidal flat can produce a decline of the mussel bed cover in a specific area. Our findings also alert to the urgency of implementing effective management actions in this and other frequented areas dominated by similar habitat-forming species. KEY WORDS: Disturbance · Trampling · Mussel beds · Rocky shores · Southwestern Atlantic Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Mendez MM, Livore JP, Bigatti G (2018) Effects of trampling on intertidal mussel beds: importance of disturbance intensity. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 606:231-235. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12770 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 606. Online publication date: November 15, 2018 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2018 Inter-Research.