Abstract
Predator impacts on intertidal community structure have been studied for rocky platforms, but intertidal boulder fields, a habitat with a greater extension and heterogeneity, have not yet been considered. Keeping in mind that disturbances are considered an important force in determining intertidal habitat diversity, the aims of this work were to describe and quantify boulder field community structure and to assess boulder field community dynamics by proposing possible food webs, taking into consideration predatory and anthropogenic impacts. These aims were achieved by installing predator-exclusion cages outfitted with rocks that were monitored monthly over one year in two study zones, a Management and Exploitation Area for Benthic Resources (MEABR, Playa Chica) and open-access area (OAA, Playa Grande). For both study zones, juveniles were the dominant observed ontogenetic state and invertebrate richness and density were higher inside exclusion cages. Furthermore, the MEABR had a differentiated impact on community structure and dynamics in comparison with the OAA. In conclusion, the roles played by boulder fields in intertidal diversity, especially in recruitment and as a nursery zone, are important to consider in management plans.
Highlights
Factors that promote variations in biodiversity are highly important considering the impact that diversity has on ecosystem functioning (Hooper et al 2012)
Predator impacts on intertidal community structure have been studied for rocky platforms, but intertidal boulder fields—a habitat with a greater extension and heterogeneity—have not yet been considered (Bertness et al 2001)
In the Management and Exploitation Areas for Benthic Resources (MEABRs), 46 were recorded, 17 of them corresponding to algae and 29 to invertebrates (Table 1)
Summary
Factors that promote variations in biodiversity are highly important considering the impact that diversity has on ecosystem functioning (Hooper et al 2012). Oceans worldwide are facing increased threats, including resource overexploitation, habitat degradation and destruction, pollution, and climate change (Halpern et al 2008). These stressors influence population declines of commercially/culturally important species, altered community structures and compromised ecosystem functioning. The conservation and sustainable-use mechanisms for marine resources include Marine Protected Areas and no-take zones (Agardy 2003). MEABRs complement the biodiversity objectives of fully protected areas by providing important conservation add-on effects for species outside of management policies (Aldana et al 2014, Molina et al 2014)
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