Small-scale Disturbances Research Articles

Numerical investigation of oscillations within a harbor of parabolic bottom induced by water surface disturbances

Oscillations within a rectangular harbor of parabolic bottom induced by water surface disturbances are investigated numerically based on Boussinesq equations and results are used to reveal the characteristics of the oscillations generated by disturbances of this type. The similarities and differences compared with those generated by a movable seafloor are also discussed. Relatively local and small-scale water surface disturbances may induce obvious transverse oscillations with little trace of longitudinal ones. The predominant transverse components are those with small alongshore mode number m and no node in the offshore direction. The augmentation of the rapidity of depth variation of the parabolic bottom may shift the resonant frequencies to larger values. These transverse modes are sensitive to the initial position of water surface disturbances. The spatial structure of each mode is well captured by the existing analytical solution based on shallow water equations. Although longitudinal oscillations may not be steadily generated with water surface disturbances, some patterns of several low-mode ones occur and are also sensitive to the position of the disturbances. Wavelet spectra are used to analyze their evolutions and comparisons are made with theoretical predictions for the three principle longitudinal modes.

Influence of salvage logging on forest recovery following intermediate severity canopy disturbances in mixed beech dominated forests of Slovenia

The practice of salvage logging dead and damaged timber following large high severity disturbances has raised much controversy, partly because of the negative ecological effects that such practices have on forest ecosystems. Many of the studies on salvage logging effects, however, have been done on sites damaged by large, severe disturbances. Less is known about the ecological consequences of salvage logging following intermediate severity disturbances that cause partial canopy damage at smaller scales. We examined the response of the herbaceous layer and tree regeneration to salvaged and non-salvaged treatments following small-scale intermediate severity disturbances in eight mixed beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) dominated forest stands in Slovenia. The cover and diversity of herbaceous vegetation, as well as the density and diversity of tree regeneration were similar between treatments across the study sites. The only notable differences between the treatments were that salvaged sites had a larger proportion of shade intolerant tree species in the regeneration layer, while non-salvaged sites tended to have a more well-developed regeneration layer in taller height classes. The results suggest that salvage logging following small-scale intermediate severity disturbances may not hinder forest recovery in mixed beech dominated forests.

Large avian frugivores in the Philippines show linear responses to improvements in forest quality

Large avian frugivores are important in ecosystem function, but are seriously threatened across the tropics. To conserve them we must understand their habitat needs and the effects of improved forest management on individual species and the community as a whole. We recorded the presence/absence of 18 parrot, pigeon and hornbill species along nearly 500km of transects at 24 sites in Luzon, Philippines, and used logistic GLMMs to identify bird-habitat associations based on topographical, forest structure and floristic data taken at 1227 habitat plots. We then searched for more complex relationships and thresholds in species responses along forest quality/restoration gradients using GAMMs. Frugivore species richness was highest in forest with large-girthed trees, although some small-scale agricultural disturbance was tolerated or even favoured. Importantly, richness was highest in forests on flat ground, areas which are usually the first to be converted to agriculture. Individual species were positively associated with large trees but responses to floristic gradients were more variable. Very few species had complex relationships with forest quality; for the great majority, the probability of occurrence increased linearly along the forest quality/restoration gradient. While the precise benefits in terms of seed dispersal, and costs of management, at different points along the quality/restoration gradient are likely to be themselves complex, avian frugivores benefit proportionately from step improvements right along the gradient. Thus, any actions to improve forest quality on Luzon, from reforesting the most degraded lands to preventing degradation of relatively healthy forests, are likely to benefit frugivores.

Lipidomic Profiling of Adipose Tissue Reveals an Inflammatory Signature in Cancer-Related and Primary Lymphedema.

Cancer-related and primary lymphedema (LE) are associated with the production of adipose tissue (AT). Nothing is known, however, about the lipid-based molecules that comprise LE AT. We therefore analyzed lipid molecules in lipoaspirates and serum obtained from LE patients, and compared them to lipoaspirates from cosmetic surgery patients and healthy control cohort serum. LE patient serum analysis demonstrated that triglycerides, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol and lipid transport molecules remained within the normal range, with no alterations in individual fatty acids. The lipidomic analysis also identified 275 lipid-based molecules, including triacylglycerides, diacylglycerides, fatty acids and phospholipids in AT oil and fat. Although the majority of lipid molecules were present in a similar abundance in LE and non-LE samples, there were several small changes: increased C20:5-containing triacylglycerides, reduced C10:0 caprinic and C24:1 nervonic acids. LE AT oil also contained a signature of increased cyclopropane-type fatty acids and inflammatory mediators arachidonic acid and ceramides. Interestingly C20:5 and C22:6 omega-3-type lipids are increased in LE AT, correlating with LE years. Hence, LE AT has a normal lipid profile containing a signature of inflammation and omega-3-lipids. It remains unclear, however, whether these differences reflect a small-scale global metabolic disturbance or effects within localised inflammatory foci.

Multi-objective states of matter search algorithm for TCSC-based smart controller design

This paper presents a novel controller design of a thyristor controlled series capacitor based on an optimized adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system. The modified states of matter search algorithm are implemented to fit the premise and consequent parameters of the neuro fuzzy system. The design objectives are to reduce the power system oscillations and find a minimum number of strongest fuzzy rules, trends toward building a low-size controller model. Therefore, fuzzy decision-making mechanism is employed to rank the Pareto-optimal set to extract the best compromise solution. The proposed controller design depends upon the expected wide range of operating conditions. The effectiveness of smart control strategy based controller is tested and compared on single machine infinite bus and multimachine power systems under small scale disturbance as well as large scale disturbances.

Mapping functional groups can provide insight into ecosystem functioning and potential resilience of intertidal sandflats

The ability of species to maintain ecosys- tem functions under environmental stress depends on their vulnerability, adaptability and potential for dis- persal and re-establishment. Species that share traits can perform similar functions, thus offering functional redundancy, and therefore potentially confer resili- ence in ecosystem function. In this regard, both spe- cies abundance and occurrence across a landscape are likely to affect the importance of redundancy. To investigate spatial patterns in functional redundancy, we assessed the degree to which specific functional traits linked to ecosystem function are shared, along with patterns of abundance and distribution, in a macrobenthic community (115 taxa; 23 682 individu- als) sampled in 400 plots from a large intertidal area (300 000 m 2 ). We defined 26 functional groups; 85% of these contained more than 1 species and 50% more than 3 species. Most functional group (22 of 26) distri- butions were non-random (as identified by Moran's I) and fell into 1 of 3 spatial patterns — gradients (n = 8 function groups), and large (n = 2) and small patches (n = 12) — that separate the functional attributes of the macrobenthic community. Only 2 functional groups exhibited low species richness and low abundance, but their widespread occurrence could provide resili- ence to small-scale disturbances. This spatial consid- eration of functional group distribution stresses the notion that resilience is likely to be scale-dependent rather than a commodity on offer across a whole sys- tem. Our findings emphasise the importance not only of within-functional group species richness but also of abundance and occurrence as a framework to investi- gate functional diversity and resilience of benthic seafloor communities.

Compensatory growth of the clonal understory tree, Asimina triloba, in response to small-scale disturbances

In hardwood forests, clonal understory trees often develop patches of ramets that are interconnected via root systems. The patches are often partially disturbed by litter falling from the forest canopy, and patterns of damage can vary in size and the number of directly affected ramets. To test the effects of different types of disturbance on recovery and development of patches, we conducted a field experiment using the clonal understory tree, Asimina triloba in a hardwood forest of the northeastern USA. Either single large ramets or many small ramets were cut at their base, which removed about half of the aboveground biomass from each patch. Both types of disturbance did not change new ramet production, and the recovery response of A. triloba was primarily achieved by sprouting of damaged ramets. Three years after the manipulation, total aboveground biomass of disturbed patches recovered to pre-treatment levels without cost in terms of reduced growth or survival of undamaged ramets. These results suggest that A. triloba has the ability to persist under different types of disturbance and regrowth of damaged ramets is probably supported by the translocation of resources stored in root systems. On the other hand, damaged ramets grew less for the first year after the disturbance. New ramets also grew less in disturbed patches than in controls, especially where large ramets were damaged. In A. triloba, damage to large ramets may compromise sexual reproduction, which is limited to large ramets, and have negative impacts on new patch establishment via sexual reproduction.

Small-scale disturbances in the stratigraphy of the NEEM ice core: observations and numerical model simulations

Abstract. Disturbances on the centimetre scale in the stratigraphy of the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) ice core (North Greenland) can be mapped by an optical line scanner as long as the ice has visual layering, such as, for example, cloudy bands. Different focal depths allow, to a certain extent, a three-dimensional view of the structures. In this study we present a detailed analysis of the visible folds, discuss their characteristics and frequency, and present examples of typical fold structures. We also analyse the structures with regard to the deformation boundary conditions under which they formed. The structures evolve from gentle waves at about 1500 m to overturned z folds with increasing depth. Occasionally, the folding causes significant thickening of layers. Their similar fold shape indicates that they are passive features and are probably not initiated by rheology differences between alternating layers. Layering is heavily disturbed and tracing of single layers is no longer possible below a depth of 2160 m. C axes orientation distributions for the corresponding core sections were analysed, where available, in addition to visual stratigraphy. The data show axial-plane parallel strings of grains with c axis orientations that deviate from that of the matrix, which shows a single maximum fabric at the depth where the folding occurs. Numerical modelling of crystal viscoplastic deformation and dynamic recrystallisation was used to improve the understanding of the formation of the observed structures during deformation. The modelling reproduces the development of bands of grains with a tilted-lattice orientation relative to the single maximum fabric of the matrix, and also the associated local deformation. We conclude from these results that the observed folding can be explained by formation of these tilted-lattice bands.

Short-term Dynamics and the Effects of Biotic and Abiotic Factors on Plant Physiognomic Groups in a Hurricane-impacted Lower Montane Tropical Forest

We assessed the short-term effects of biotic (density, plant size) and abiotic factors (light), on the dynamics of physiognomically different plant groups (palms, tree ferns, lianas, and trees) in a hurricane-impacted tropical wet montane forest, John Crow Mountains, Jamaica. All plants ≥2 cm (dbh) found within 45, 25 × 25 m permanent sample plots (2.8125 ha), established according to a randomized block design along an elevation gradient, were tagged and measured (dbh) in 2006 and re-assessed in 2012 after Hurricane Dean (2007). Hemispheric light was measured in 2007 and 2008. Tree and liana size class distributions changed due to high mortality in the smallest size classes and their densities declined; however, palm and tree fern density remained unchanged. The dynamics of trees were only related to tree fern and liana dynamics (e.g., tree mortality was negatively related to liana recruitment etc.). Although pre- and posthurricane light was related to palm density and the density of the other plant groups, respectively, there were no significant changes in light. Tree survivorship increased with increasing dbh while posthurricane light and overall density influenced the growth and survivorship of tree species. Species importance value did not change, suggesting that direct regeneration may be the model of forest recovery following this small-scale disturbance. Over the short term, tree species showed life history trade-offs that aid species coexistence after this moderate/low disturbance event. Our study highlights that hurricanes with low impacts can have differential short- and possibly long-term effects on different plant groups.

Recovery pathways from small-scale disturbance in a temperate Australian seagrass

Recovery from disturbance is a key element of ecosystem persistence, and recovery can be influenced by large-scale regional differences and smaller local-scale variations in environmental conditions. Seagrass beds are an important yet threatened nearshore habitat and recover from disturbance by regrowth, vegetative extension and dispersive propagules. We described recovery pathways from small-scale disturbances in the seagrass Zostera nigricaulis in Port Phillip Bay, a large embayment in southeastern Australia, and tested whether these pathways differed between 5 regions with different hydrodynamic conditions and water quality, and between sites within those regions. Recovery pathways were broadly consistent. When aboveground biomass was removed, recovery, defined as the point at which disturbed areas converged with undisturbed controls, took from 2 to 8 mo, but when we removed above-and below-ground biomass, it took between 2 and 13 mo. There was no evidence of recovery resulting from sexual reproduction at any sites regardless of the presence of seeds in the sediment or flower production. We found no differences in recovery at the regional scale, but we found substantial differences between local sites. At some sites, rapid recovery occurred because seagrasses grew quickly, but at others, apparent recovery occurred because regrowth coincided with overall declines in cover of undisturbed areas. Recovery time was unrelated to seagrass canopy height, biomass, percentage cover, stem density, seed bank density, epiphyte cover or sediment organic matter in seagrass adjacent to disturbance experiments. This study highlights the importance of understanding fine-scale variation in local recovery mechanisms, which may override or obscure any regional signal.

Impacts of Man-Made Structures on Avian Community Metrics in 4 State Parks in Northwestern Arkansas

Avian community metrics often differ between areas with no human disturbance and areas with high levels of human disturbance. However, the relationships between avian community metrics and smaller-scale disturbances are not as clear. Our goal was to investigate if avian abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity differed in areas with and without small-scale human developments. We used fixed-radius 50-m avian point counts to compare points which contained a man-made structure (n = 47), such as a picnic area, road, or campsite to those that did not contain a man-made structure (n = 181) at 4 state parks in Arkansas during 18 May – 7 August 2015. We used paired t-tests to compare points at the park scale and one-way ANOVAs or Kruskal-Wallis tests to investigate differences among the hiking and biking trails within parks. At the park scale, avian abundance (t₃ = -1.44, P = 0.246), richness (t₃ = ˗0.86, P = 0.453), diversity (t₃= 2.02, P = 0.137), and evenness (t₃ =˗0.37, P = 0.733) did not differ between points containing man-made structures and points without man-made structures. Species richness (F1,11 = 5.03, P= 0.047) and diversity (X^2₁ = 4.20, P = 0.040) were higher at points with man-made structures (Simpson’s D mean = 0.13 ± 0.01SE; S mean = 8.99 ± 0.70SE) at Pinnacle Mountain than points without man-made structures (Simpson’s D mean = 0.18 ± 0.03SE; S mean = 7.17 ± 0.47SE); abundance (F₁, ₁₁ = 1.43, P =0.257) and evenness (F₁, ₁₁ = 0.16, P = 0.695) did not differ among points. Within the 3 remaining parks, abundance (F₁,7-9 = 0.11 – 2.59, P = 0.152 – 0.748), richness (χ^2 ₁ = 0.300 – 1.68, P = 0.195 – 0.584), diversity (χ2 = 0.300 – 1.05, P = 0.305 – 0.584; F₁,7 =1.82, P = 0.219) and evenness (F₁,7-9 = 0.35 – 4.28, P =0.077 – 0.570) did not differ between points with and without man-made structures. Given the results of our analyses both at the park scale and within parks, it appears that small-scale man-made disturbances may have limited or no impact on avian community metrics.

Is colourful self-sustaining forb vegetation mere fantasy?

Abstract Biodiversity in urban and suburban environments can be supported through establishment of low maintenance-requiring herbaceous vegetation types. Here, we attempt to provide a perspective on the possibilities and limitations of establishing forb-dominated vegetation to support local biodiversity and contribute to changing public aesthetics concerning green spaces. Plant ecological theories, methods and experiences are the foundation for the design and establishment of such vegetation types. We emphasise the importance of high plant density and recurrent disturbance for the maintenance of forb communities. Well-established ecological theory tells us that totally self-sustaining herbaceous vegetation is not a realistic possibility. Without intervention, herbaceous vegetation will change over time and eventually be colonized by woody species through the process of succession. However, by applying a creative and strategic approach to establishment and subsequent management involving small scale disturbances, rather than solely a uniform maintenance regime, it may be possible to maintain a colourful, aesthetically appealing and species-rich forb dominated community that will support biodiversity and increase public acceptance of alternatives to conventional lawns in urban and suburban environments.

Temporal and spatial dynamics of an old-growth beech forest in western Japan

Dendrochronological approaches enable us to understand forest stand dynamics by estimation of disturbance history and age structure. The present study was conducted in an old-growth beech forest in a forest reserve in western Japan. Increment cores were taken for tree ring analysis from all canopy trees in a 50 m × 130 m study plot. Radial growth release criteria were developed to identify significant growth releases in each tree ring series and to characterize the disturbance history of the study site. The age structure of the forest was indicative of continuous establishment by Fagus crenata and simultaneous establishment by Magnolia obovata. A variety of low-intensity disturbances were identified in each decade, especially after the 1900s, but the occurrence of high-intensity catastrophic disturbance was rare, and likely played an important role in maintaining species diversity in the existing forest canopy. The results also suggest that F. crenata regenerates gradually before and after both large- and small-scale disturbances, whereas M. obovata and Betula grossa regenerate only after large-scale catastrophic disturbances.

Effect of reduced impact logging and small-scale mining disturbances on Neotropical stream fish assemblages

Deforestation and mining are recognized as major threats to Amazonian biodiversity, but, in addition to the well known impacts of clear cutting and industrial mining, the impact of cryptic threats such as illegal small-scale gold-mining and reduced impact logging remain little known. Here, we quantify the impact of those cryptic disturbances on a set of 201 sites dispersed throughout French Guiana. The fish assemblages of 139 pristine forest sites were compared to 16 sites subjected to reduced impact logging (i.e. selective logging), 24 sites with ongoing small-scale gold-mining and 22 sites formerly mined for gold. Controlling for the environmental variability between sites showed the significant structuring effect of all disturbances on fish taxonomic structure, with a marked impact of gold-mining. This effect was of strong magnitude and remained significant after mining activity ceased. In contrast, the reduced impact logging effect remains of low magnitude, although significant. From a functional point of view, gold-mining drives species assemblages towards a decrease in the richness of small-sized stream habitat specialist species and favours larger ubiquitous species living in both streams and rivers. Reduced impact logging effect was slighter, and negatively affected only the richness of phytophagous species. These results, encompassing a variety of hydrographic basins, unambiguously show the detrimental effect of small-scale gold-mining on fish assemblages as well as the slight effect of reduced impact logging. Since gold-mining is one of the most widespread threats throughout the Amazonian region, particular care should be given to controlling this, often illegal, activity.

Long-term dynamics of small fragmented forests inferred from patterns along a gradient of fragment sizes

Although forest fragmentation has wide-ranging effects on remnant biota and ecosystem functions, the long-term dynamics of fragmented forests is poorly understood. In 2011, we resurveyed eight fragments (0.3–8.5 ha) of a Japanese temperate deciduous forest, which was fragmented anthropogenically in the 1940s and 1950s and initially surveyed in 1999, to infer the long-term dynamics of these forest fragments. We compared tree size distributions, aboveground biomass, and community composition over the 12-year period between surveys. We also reconstructed the disturbance history using a dendroecological analysis of tree-ring series. Smaller fragments had a lower density of large trees in 1999, and small-scale disturbance events were estimated to be relatively frequent around the same time that the forest was fragmented. These results were consistent with the expectation that tree mortality would increase following fragmentation. While elevated tree mortality in the small fragments suggests a greater loss of biomass density compared with larger fragments, the aboveground biomass recovered more rapidly in the smaller fragments over the 12-year census interval. However, some small fragments showed extraordinary rates of biomass increases, suggesting that they were not simply the result of a recovery from the fragmentation event, but also reflected recoveries from more recent disturbances. As a result, although the species composition of the smaller fragments approached that of the larger fragments over time, the density of large trees was still lower in the smaller fragments in 2011. Our results emphasize the need to consider such complex forest dynamics when predicting functional consequences of fragmentation.

Mind the gap: treefalls as drivers of parental trade‐offs

Tree-fall gaps are small-scale disturbances whose formation, colonization, and role in forest dynamics are well documented, but whose effects on animal ecology are still greatly overlooked, except for studies comparing species richness of gaps 6+ months old to that in the closed canopy. Other factors associated with the invasion of fresh tree-fall gaps such as animal breeding adaptations have been largely neglected. I studied the immediate (within hours and days) arrival of the poison frog Dendrobates tinctorius in new tree-fall gaps to examine the dynamics of their invasion in relation to tadpole rearing. I found that rearing sites are occupied sooner and tadpoles deposited at higher rates in fresh gaps than in the closed forest, but that the rate of cannibalism is also much greater in the former. This suggests that invading new tree-fall gaps can be the best parental decision when parents arrive early because they get access to fresh, high-quality resources, but it could be to the detriment of the offspring if parents arrive late, because of overcrowding and cannibalism. These results highlight the importance of studying the earliest stages of invasions in order to have a better understanding of the composition of communities in disturbed ecosystems at later successional stages.

Evaluation of the similarity in tree community composition in a tropical rainforest using airborne LiDAR data

Human activities in tropical forests, such as logging or shifting cultivation, largely affect forest biodiversity. These disturbances often create small patches of successional vegetation and heterogeneous spatial patterns. Airborne LiDAR can detect small-scale disturbances, which are undetectable by conventional remote sensing. Here, our aim was to evaluate the similarity in community composition of tree assemblages after human disturbances in a tropical rainforest in northern Borneo using small-footprint airborne LiDAR. We derived 16 variables related to the height distribution and canopy characteristics from airborne LiDAR data. The similarity in community composition among plots was calculated using ordination analysis (nonmetric multidimensional scaling) based on the number of trees of each species. LiDAR-derived variables were significantly correlated with the similarity in community composition; the strongest correlation was with the canopy laser penetration rate down to 1-m height above ground (rs = − 0.81, p < 0.001). The predictive model for similarity in community composition developed using the canopy laser penetration rate at 0-m height and the maximum height had R2adj = 0.71 (p < 0.001). We applied this equation to the entire study area and compared the output with the human disturbance histories. A predictive map based on the equation suggested that the similarity in community composition changes in proportion to the degree of human disturbances. Our findings indicate that the similarity attributed to human disturbances in tropical forests can be predicted and monitored by means of airborne LiDAR. This approach could be combined with ground-based monitoring data to map the patterns of biodiversity in tropical rainforest.

Structural patterns of beech and silver fir suggest stability and resilience of the virgin forest Sinca in the Southern Carpathians, Romania

The structural patterns and dynamics of a primeval silver fir (Abies alba) – European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest in the Southern Carpathians (Romania) were assessed to gain deeper insight into species interactions and mechanisms of coexistence, and to study the influence of species composition on forest structure. At 21 sample plots, each covering 0.123ha within an area of 240ha, all living and dead trees ⩾6cm dbh (diameter at breast height) were mapped and measured. Regeneration was assessed on four sub-plots per plot. Additionally, a 1-ha permanent plot established in 2003 was re-measured in 2013 to obtain information on stand dynamics. Point pattern analyses were conducted to study the spatial patterns and tree-to-tree interactions. The overall dbh distributions of beech and fir tended to indicate sustainable population structures. The share of beech varying from 24.8% to 95% (average 58%) in stand basal area did not influence stand parameters such as basal area or volume, nor the distribution of growing stock to different canopy layers. We found fir to dominate the lowest dbh classes in plots that were strongly dominated by beech in the top layer and vice versa, locally indicating species alternation. The regeneration density of fir was lower than of beech, although browsing by ungulates was negligible. In contrast to its share among living trees, fir contributed two-thirds to the deadwood volume. The 10-year changes in forest structure and mortality rate on the 1-ha plot were very small, suggesting the absence of recent intermediate or severe disturbances. The spatial patterns of the dead trees and of the living beech and fir in different canopy layers agreed with a disturbance regime dominated by stochastic small-scale events. Although the spatial patterns of beech and fir were similar, the tree-to-tree interactions indicated a higher intraspecific competition of beech than of fir and a higher shade tolerance of fir particularly in later stages of development. Both could be important factors for the coexistence of the two species. We conclude that the primeval fir–beech forest Sinca shows under the present small scale disturbance regime a high stability and structural resilience. Temporal changes in species composition only lead to small fluctuations in stand parameters and do not threaten the long-term coexistence of beech and fir. Forest managers may vary the species composition of fir–beech forests without substantially influencing the overall forest structure or productivity.

Widespread tsunami-like waves of 23-27 June in the Mediterranean and Black Seas generated by high-altitude atmospheric forcing.

A series of tsunami-like waves of non-seismic origin struck several southern European countries during the period of 23 to 27 June 2014. The event caused considerable damage from Spain to Ukraine. Here, we show that these waves were long-period ocean oscillations known as meteorological tsunamis which are generated by intense small-scale air pressure disturbances. An unique atmospheric synoptic pattern was tracked propagating eastward over the Mediterranean and the Black seas in synchrony with onset times of observed tsunami waves. This pattern favoured generation and propagation of atmospheric gravity waves that induced pronounced tsunami-like waves through the Proudman resonance mechanism. This is the first documented case of a chain of destructive meteorological tsunamis occurring over a distance of thousands of kilometres. Our findings further demonstrate that these events represent potentially dangerous regional phenomena and should be included in tsunami warning systems.

Decreasing seagrass density negatively influences associated fauna.

Seagrass meadows globally are disappearing at a rapid rate with physical disturbances being one of the major drivers of this habitat loss. Disturbance of seagrass can lead to fragmentation, a reduction in shoot density, canopy height and coverage, and potentially permanent loss of habitat. Despite being such a widespread issue, knowledge of how such small scale change affects the spatial distribution and abundances of motile fauna remains limited. The present study investigated fish and macro faunal community response patterns to a range of habitat variables (shoot length, cover and density), including individual species habitat preferences within a disturbed and patchy intertidal seagrass meadow. Multivariate analysis showed a measurable effect of variable seagrass cover on the abundance and distribution of the fauna, with species specific preferences to both high and low seagrass cover seagrass. The faunal community composition varied significantly with increasing/decreasing cover. The faunal species composition of low cover seagrass was more similar to sandy control plots than to higher cover seagrass. Shannon Wiener Diversity (H′) and species richness was significantly higher in high cover seagrass than in low cover seagrass, indicating increasing habitat value as density increases. The results of this study underline how the impacts of small scale disturbances from factors such as anchor damage, boat moorings and intertidal vehicle use on seagrass meadows that reduce shoot density and cover can impact upon associated fauna. These impacts have negative consequences for the delivery of ecosystem services such as the provision of nursery habitat.