Abstract
Most intertidal rocky systems are exposed to severe tidal, diurnal, and seasonal changes in environmental parameters. In addition, they show extreme vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts. Research on multiple drivers is therefore crucial to understand the complexity of their potential interactions. Here, we first give an overview of the natural environment and impacts of climate change on rocky shore intertidal systems, and then focus on the impacts of multiple drivers. We further provide a summary of existing multiple driver studies in the literature with the aim for a better understanding of multiple driver interactions. As multiple drivers can affect rocky shore intertidal systems at different spatial and temporal scales, and the outcome of their effects are still more of an “ecological surprise,” we recommend a more widespread assessment of the environmental and biological context. We propose a new, integrated approach based on existing literature: this complements previous frameworks but with an improved understanding of co-occurring multiple driver systems of the rocky intertidal, in order to find management solutions based on accurate and informed predictions in these times of global change.
Highlights
Rocky shores have a global distribution and are generally well-studied ecosystems that have been investigated for several decades (Menge, 1976)
A high biological diversity and a strong disturbance history often facilitate the recovery in rocky shores following a disturbance (Bernhardt and Leslie, 2013)
Even though species have evolved alongside natural drivers, extreme conditions can lead to shifts in community structure, as well as to a decreased ability to withstand changes in environmental conditions
Summary
Rocky shores have a global distribution and are generally well-studied ecosystems that have been investigated for several decades (Menge, 1976). The dynamic properties of rocky intertidal shore make them an excellent model system for understanding changes in community structure and functioning (Hawkins et al, 2008), as well as for investigating impacts of single and multiple anthropogenic driver(s) acting upon them. In this review we focus on climate change, as its impacts occur on a global scale—making its integration into research and management practices of high relevance. Exploring the interaction of climate drivers with natural and other anthropogenic drivers is of great importance in order to understand where additive, synergistic or antagonistic relations may occur, which will subsequently determine management plans. We refer to “drivers” rather than “stressors,” as “stressors” imply a negative impact, whereas “drivers” can include mitigating effects (Boyd and Hutchins, 2012; Boyd et al, 2018)
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