Small-scale Spatial Variability Research Articles

Nonlinear effects of locally heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity fields on regional stream–aquifer exchanges

Abstract. Computational experiments are performed to evaluate the effects of locally heterogeneous conductivity fields on regional exchanges of water between stream and aquifer systems in the Middle Heihe River basin (MHRB) of northwestern China. The effects are found to be nonlinear in the sense that simulated discharges from aquifers to streams are systematically lower than discharges produced by a base model parameterized with relatively coarse effective conductivity. A similar, but weaker, effect is observed for stream leakage. The study is organized around three hypotheses: (H1) small-scale spatial variations of conductivity significantly affect regional exchanges of water between streams and aquifers in river basins, (H2) aggregating small-scale heterogeneities into regional effective parameters systematically biases estimates of stream–aquifer exchanges, and (H3) the biases result from slow paths in groundwater flow that emerge due to small-scale heterogeneities. The hypotheses are evaluated by comparing stream–aquifer fluxes produced by the base model to fluxes simulated using realizations of the MHRB characterized by local (grid-scale) heterogeneity. Levels of local heterogeneity are manipulated as control variables by adjusting coefficients of variation. All models are implemented using the MODFLOW (Modular Three-dimensional Finite-difference Groundwater Flow Model) simulation environment, and the PEST (parameter estimation) tool is used to calibrate effective conductivities defined over 16 zones within the MHRB. The effective parameters are also used as expected values to develop lognormally distributed conductivity (K) fields on local grid scales. Stream–aquifer exchanges are simulated with K fields at both scales and then compared. Results show that the effects of small-scale heterogeneities significantly influence exchanges with simulations based on local-scale heterogeneities always producing discharges that are less than those produced by the base model. Although aquifer heterogeneities are uncorrelated at local scales, they appear to induce coherent slow paths in groundwater fluxes that in turn reduce aquifer–stream exchanges. Since surface water–groundwater exchanges are critical hydrologic processes in basin-scale water budgets, these results also have implications for water resources management.

남해 서부해역 저수온수 출현에 따른 진도 연안 낭장망에 채집된 어류 군집구조 변화

We examined the community structure of fish off the coast of Jindo Island in response to a cold water appearance in the southwestern sea of Korea each August between 2013–2015. Using a gape net with wings, we collected 31 taxa during the study period, wherein the most dominant species was Engraulis japonicus. Collichthys lucidus and Neosalanx andersoni, which are mainly distributed in the western sea of Korea, increased in abundance and were dominant in August 2013, possibly due to the apparent intrusion of cold water ( 20°C) at the coast, which resulted in a noticeable lessening of the cold water in the study area. However, no significant differences were observed in fish community structure in the month of August between 2013–1015. This implies that the small-scale spatial and temporal variations in the cold water had limited effects on the fish community structure, even though the abundances of several dominant species varied in the coastal waters.

The influence of finfish aquaculture on benthic fish and crustacean assemblages in Fitzgerald Bay, South Australia.

The influence of sea-cage aquaculture on wildfish assemblages has received little attention outside of Europe. Sea-cage aquaculture of finfish is a major focus in South Australia, and while the main species farmed is southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii), there is also an important yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) industry. Yellowtail kingfish aquaculture did not appear to have any local or regional effects on demersal assemblages (primarily fish, but also some crustaceans) surveyed by baited remote underwater video (BRUV) in Fitzgerald Bay. We did, however, detect small scale spatial variations in assemblages within the bay. The type of bait used strongly influenced the assemblage recorded, with significantly greater numbers of fish attracted to deployments where sardines were used as the bait to compared to those with no bait. The pelleted feed used by the aquaculture industry was just as attractive as sardines at one site, and intermediate between sardines and no bait at the other. There was significant temporal variability in assemblages at both farm sites and one control site, while the second control site was temporally stable (over the 9 weeks of the study). Overall, the results suggested that aquaculture was having little if any impact on the abundance and assemblage structure of the demersal macrofauna in Fitzgerald Bay.

Storage and transformation of organic matter fractions in cryoturbated permafrost soils across the Siberian Arctic

Abstract. In permafrost soils, the temperature regime and the resulting cryogenic processes are important determinants of the storage of organic carbon (OC) and its small-scale spatial variability. For cryoturbated soils, there is a lack of research assessing pedon-scale heterogeneity in OC stocks and the transformation of functionally different organic matter (OM) fractions, such as particulate and mineral-associated OM. Therefore, pedons of 28 Turbels were sampled in 5 m wide soil trenches across the Siberian Arctic to calculate OC and total nitrogen (TN) stocks based on digital profile mapping. Density fractionation of soil samples was performed to distinguish between particulate OM (light fraction, LF, < 1.6 g cm−3), mineral associated OM (heavy fraction, HF, > 1.6 g cm−3), and a mobilizable dissolved pool (mobilizable fraction, MoF). Across all investigated soil profiles, the total OC storage was 20.2 ± 8.0 kg m−2 (mean ± SD) to 100 cm soil depth. Fifty-four percent of this OC was located in the horizons of the active layer (annual summer thawing layer), showing evidence of cryoturbation, and another 35 % was present in the upper permafrost. The HF-OC dominated the overall OC stocks (55 %), followed by LF-OC (19 % in mineral and 13 % in organic horizons). During fractionation, approximately 13 % of the OC was released as MoF, which likely represents a readily bioavailable OM pool. Cryogenic activity in combination with cold and wet conditions was the principle mechanism through which large OC stocks were sequestered in the subsoil (16.4 ± 8.1 kg m−2; all mineral B, C, and permafrost horizons). Approximately 22 % of the subsoil OC stock can be attributed to LF material subducted by cryoturbation, whereas migration of soluble OM along freezing gradients appeared to be the principle source of the dominant HF (63 %) in the subsoil. Despite the unfavourable abiotic conditions, low C / N ratios and high δ13C values indicated substantial microbial OM transformation in the subsoil, but this was not reflected in altered LF and HF pool sizes. Partial least-squares regression analyses suggest that OC accumulates in the HF fraction due to co-precipitation with multivalent cations (Al, Fe) and association with poorly crystalline iron oxides and clay minerals. Our data show that, across all permafrost pedons, the mineral-associated OM represents the dominant OM fraction, suggesting that the HF-OC is the OM pool in permafrost soils on which changing soil conditions will have the largest impact.

Small-scale spatial variability in benthic food webs in the northeastern Chukchi Sea

Small-scale spatial variability in benthic food webs in the northeastern Chukchi Sea

Variability of intertidal foraminiferal assemblages in a salt marsh, Oregon, USA

We studied 18 sampling stations along a transect to investigate the similarity between live (rose Bengal stained) foraminiferal populations and dead assemblages, their small-scale spatial variations and the distribution of infaunal foraminifera in a salt marsh (Toms Creek marsh) at the upper end of the South Slough arm of the Coos Bay estuary, Oregon, USA. We aimed to test to what extent taphonomic processes, small-scale variability and infaunal distribution influence the accuracy of sea-level reconstructions based on intertidal foraminifera. Cluster analyses have shown that dead assemblages occur in distinct zones with respect to elevation, a prerequisite for using foraminifera as sea-level indicators. Our nonparametric multivariate analysis of variance showed that small-scale spatial variability has only a small influence on live (rose Bengal stained) populations and dead assemblages. The dissimilarity was higher, however, between live (rose Bengal stained) populations in the middle marsh. We observed early diagenetic dissolution of calcareous tests in the dead assemblages. If comparable post-depositional processes and similar minor spatial variability also characterize fossil assemblages, then dead assemblage are the best modern analogs for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. The Toms Creek tidal flat and low marsh vascular plant zones are dominated by Miliammina fusca, the middle marsh is dominated by Balticammina pseudomacrescens and Trochammina inflata, and the high marsh and upland–marsh transition zone are dominated by Trochamminita irregularis. Analysis of infaunal foraminifera showed that most living specimens are found in the surface sediments and the majority of live (rose Bengal stained) infaunal specimens are restricted to the upper 10 cm, but living individuals are found to depths of 50 cm. The dominant infaunal specimens are similar to those in the corresponding surface samples and no species have been found living solely infaunally. The total numbers of infaunal foraminifera are small compared to the total numbers of dead specimens in the surface samples. This suggests that surface samples adequately represent the modern intertidal environment in Toms Creek.

Warming permafrost and active layer variability at Cime Bianche, Western European Alps

Abstract. The objective of this paper is to provide a first synthesis on the state and recent evolution of permafrost at the monitoring site of Cime Bianche (3100 m a.s.l.) on the Italian side of the Western Alps. The analysis is based on 7 years of ground temperature observations in two boreholes and seven surface points. The analysis aims to quantify the spatial and temporal variability of ground surface temperature in relation to snow cover, the small-scale spatial variability of the active layer thickness and current temperature trends in deep permafrost. Results show that the heterogeneity of snow cover thickness, both in space and time, is the main factor controlling ground surface temperatures and leads to a mean range of spatial variability (2.5 ± 0.1 °C) which far exceeds the mean range of observed inter-annual variability (1.6 ± 0.1 °C). The active layer thickness measured in two boreholes at a distance of 30 m shows a mean difference of 2.0 ± 0.1 m with the active layer of one borehole consistently deeper. As revealed by temperature analysis and geophysical soundings, such a difference is mainly driven by the ice/water content in the sub-surface and not by the snow cover regimes. The analysis of deep temperature time series reveals that permafrost is warming. The detected trends are statistically significant starting from a depth below 8 m with warming rates between 0.1 and 0.01 °C yr−1.

Summertime Spatial Variations in Atmospheric Particulate Matter and Its Chemical Components in Different Functional Areas of Xiamen, China

Due to the highly heterogeneous and dynamic nature of urban areas in Chinese cities, air pollution exhibits well-defined spatial variations. Rapid urbanization in China has heightened the importance of understanding and characterizing atmospheric particulate matter (PM) concentrations and their spatiotemporal variations. To investigate the small-scale spatial variations in PM in Xiamen, total suspended particulate (TSP), PM10, PM5 and PM2.5 measurements were collected between August and September in 2012. Their average mass concentrations were 102.50 μg∙m−3, 82.79 μg∙m−3, 55.67 μg∙m−3 and 43.70 μg∙m−3, respectively. Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM2.5 were measured using thermal optical transmission. Based on the PM concentrations for all size categories, the following order for the different functional areas studied was identified: hospital > park > commercial area > residential area > industrial area. OC contributed approximately 5%–23% to the PM2.5 mass, whereas EC accounted for 0.8%–6.95%. Secondary organic carbon constituted most of the carbonaceous particles found in the park, commercial, industrial and residential areas, with the exception of hospitals. The high PM and EC concentrations in hospitals were primarily caused by vehicle emissions. Thus, the results suggest that long-term plans should be to limit the number of vehicles entering hospital campuses, construct large-capacity underground parking structures, and choose hospital locations far from major roads.

Detecting Small-Scale Variability of Trace Elements in a Shallow Aquifer

Groundwater samples collected from an unconfined shallow aquifer were analysed for major and trace element (TE) concentrations with the aim to investigate small-scale variations possibly linked to fertilizer residual products applied until 2004. The field site, located near Ferrara (Northern Italy), covers an area of 200 m2 and was a former agricultural field then converted into a park and equipped with a grid of 13 monitoring wells. Three monitoring campaigns were carried out in June 2007, March and June 2009 in order to detect spatial and temporal variations in water quality. Groundwater nitrate, chloride, bromide and sulphate concentrations decreased with time indicating that the fertilizer plume was slowly replaced by unpolluted groundwater. However, the groundwater composition showed values of TEs (Fe, Mn, Al, As and Hg) above the recommended international and national guideline values. Dissolved TE concentrations varied randomly in the three campaigns, while TEs in the solid matrix did not show particular enrichment factors induced by fertilizer use. The data indicated that the dominant factor involved in determining small-scale spatial variability of TE concentrations in this shallow aquifer was the sediment-water interaction, while the temporal variation of TEs was driven by the organic matter leaching from the topsoil and by water table oscillations, which in turn drove the groundwater redox status. This study emphasizes the need of small-scale TE spatial resolution to discriminate between anthropogenic non-point sources of pollution (like fertilizers) and background concentrations.

Organized variability of surface runoff responses across neighboring hillslopes in Iowa

Summary Characterizing the spatial and temporal variability of small scale runoff responses is essential to distributed hydrologic modeling. To explore the variability of runoff responses, we analyzed surface runoff hydrographs from 12 neighboring hillslopes in central Iowa, USA that were observed for 72 runoff events over a four-year period. These agricultural experimental hillslopes receive various prairie filter strip treatments and drain areas ranging from 0.48 to 3.19 ha. The distances between them vary from tens of meters to about 3 km. We compared the hydrographs from the remaining 11 hillslopes to the hydrograph at the benchmark hillslope (i.e., hillslope B6 with no treatment). The results showed that: (1) for any individual event in which noticeable surface runoff occurred, the hydrographs from these hillslopes had similar shapes but different magnitudes; (2) for any paired hillslopes, the shape similarity persisted, but the scaling factor (the regression slope between two flow series) changed across events; and (3) for any runoff event, no simple relationship exists between the spatial variation of the scaling factor and the slope, slope length, area, and prairie strip width at the footslope of the hillslopes. Interestingly, we found that for 9 out of the 11 paired hillslopes, 40–70% of the temporal variation in the scaling factors can be explained by the antecedent wetness condition and the maximum hourly rain accumulation. These results suggest that the small-scale surface runoff responses are spatially variable but organized linearly, i.e., shape similarity (or linearity) in space is another feature of the small-scale runoff process. This phenomenon seems to result from the spatial vicinity and small-scale spatial variability of rainfall intensity and antecedent soil moisture.

Nature, chronostratigraphy and origin of late Holocene coastal sands at Portrush, Co. Antrim

Detailed analyses of a small exposure in coastal sands at Portrush. Co. Antrim, have yielded data that enable inferences concerning the origin and depositional history of the sands to be made. Site location, elevation, grain-size characteristics, and 14C dating, along with data from a nearby site, combine to suggest that the basal sands at Portrush may result from marine processes during extreme events. The overlying sands are probably aeolian. reworked from the underlying marine sand, and contain buried organic-rich horizons that indicate sand depositional phases alternated with stability phases during which vegetation colonisation and pedogenesis occurred. These data have reinforced recently acquired evidence of a complex pattern of origin and age structure for sands between Portstewart and Portrush that were considered previously as mid-Holocene aeolian deposits. The multi-source, multi-phase depositional history of the Portstewart-Portrush sands has implications for studies of more substantial coastal sand accumulations in which assessment of small-scale spatial variability in stratigraphy, grain-size and pedogenic characteristics may provide evidence for a more complex evolution than hitherto suspected.

Small-Scale Spatial Variability of Soil Methane Production Potential and Porewater Characteristics in an EstuarinePhragmites australisMarsh

ABSTRACT Tong, C.; Huang, J., and Jia, Y., 2015. Small-scale spatial variability of soil methane production potential and porewater characteristics in an estuarine Phragmites australis marsh. High temporal and spatial variability is a problem when quantifying methane flux from wetland soils. Spatial variability of methane production at the landscape scale has been investigated for different wetlands, but few studies have examined soil methane production at the small scale. Here, we investigated small-scale spatial patterns of soil methane production potentials and concentrations of porewater acetate, dissolved CO2, , , and soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in a brackish Phragmites australis marsh of the Min River estuary, southeast China. Sampling was performed for an area of 1.6 × 1.6 m to a depth of 30 cm (5-cm intervals) using a grid of 0.4 m resolution. Data were interpolated by an inverse distance moving average weighted method. Large differences in soil methane production potentials were detected ...

Influence of estuarine and secondary circulation on crustacean larval fluxes: a case study from a Patagonian fjord

The objective of this study was to estimate the surface flux of crustacean larvae at three points along the Baker/Martinez fjord complex, Chilean Patagonia, during the season of maximum river discharge. Concurrent acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and zooplankton surveys were conducted along three across-channel transects spanning 58 km along the fjord, in late February 2013. The results revealed a two-layer structure in along-channel residual velocity within the upper 25 m of the water column, which resembled a typical estuarine circulation pattern. Near the river mouth, transverse asymmetries in along-fjord flows and secondary circulation were found, which may substantially affect local patterns of larval transport and/or retention. Barnacle nauplii were more abundant during flood (15.2 ± 8.8 indiv m−3, mean ± standard error) than during ebb tide (3.36 ± 0.95 indiv m−3), suggesting they are tidally transported. Since the along-channel transport of vertically migrating larvae depends on the instantaneous flow fields to which they are exposed, larval abundance data were combined with velocity fields obtained from individual ADCP passes to produce instantaneous larval flux estimates. Near the Baker river mouth, net flux estimates showed that barnacle nauplii (cyprids) are advected landward (seaward), whereas zoeae of the squat lobster Munida gregaria are exported from the fjord. These results are consistent with previous findings and illustrate how the composition and distribution of meroplankton may reflect along-fjord changes in estuarine circulation, driven mostly by seasonal changes in freshwater inputs, as well as small-scale spatial variations in flow along the fjord.

Rogoznica Lake (Croatia), a Unique Euxinic Seawater System on the Adriatic Coast

The characteristics outlines above (a well- studied hydrography-since 1994 ; a stable and constant oxic/anoxic interface ; and a stratified system that has persisted long enough to produce steady-state conditions relative to alkalinity and sulfide concentrations) make Rogoznica lake ideal sites to examine the processes that control the biogeochemistry of anoxic environments. The small size and physically stable nature of the lake allows researchers to examine small scale spatial and temporal variability as well as longer term processes. All our data show how particular sequences of meteorological events, some of which can be regarded as extreme, have affected the internal processes in the Lake. An integration of all results (since 1994 up to now) reveals an interesting possibility that this environment may well potentially serve as valuable sentinels of climate change

Assessment of a rapid method for quantitative reach-scale estimates of deposited fine sediment in rivers

Despite increasing concerns about the negative effects that increased loads of fine-grained sediment are having on freshwaters, the need is clear for a rapid and cost-effective methodology that gives precise estimates of deposited sediment across all river types and that are relevant to morphological and ecological impact. To date few attempts have been made to assess the precision of techniques used to assemble data on fine sediment storage in river channels. Accordingly, we present an investigation into the sources of uncertainty associated with estimates of deposited fine-grained sediment in rivers using a sediment resuspension technique, an approach that provides an instantaneous measure of deposited fine sediment (surface and subsurface) in terms of quantity and quality. We investigated how variation associated with river type, spatial patchiness within rivers, sampling, and individual operators influenced estimates of deposited fine sediment using this approach and compared the precision with that of visual estimates of river bed composition — a commonly applied technique in rapid river surveys. We have used this information to develop an effective methodology for producing reach-scale estimates with known confidence intervals.By using a spatially-focussed sampling strategy that captured areas of visually high and low deposition of fine-grained sediment, the dominant aspects of small-scale spatial variability were controlled and a more precise instantaneous estimate of deposited fine sediment derived. The majority of the remaining within-site variance was attributable to spatial and sampling variability at the smallest (patch) scale. The method performed as well as visual estimates of percentage of the river bed comprising fines in its ability to discriminate between rivers but, unlike visual estimates, was not affected by operator bias.Confidence intervals for reach-scale measures of deposited fine-grained sediment were derived for the technique, and these can be applied elsewhere.

A multi-dimensional water transport model to reproduce preferential flow in the snowpack

A multi-dimensional water transport model for a snowpack was developed to reproduce preferential flow. Darcy–Buckingham's law and the van Genuchten model were used to simulate water movement. Parameters for the van Genuchten model were determined as functions of snow density and grain size, based on a previous gravity drainage column experiment. Water entry suction was newly incorporated to simulate liquid water infiltrating dry snow, based on the results of a previous capillary pressure experiment. Heterogeneity of grain size and snow density were also implemented. Heterogeneity alone was not sufficient for the development of preferential flow paths. When both water entry suction and heterogeneity were implemented, the model could simulate the formation of a preferential flow path. Validation of the simulation results by comparison with the results of a previous laboratory experiment showed that the simulated preferential flow path reproduced the experimental result fairly well. The size of the preferential flow path was negatively correlated with grain size and positively correlated with the water supply rate in both the simulation and the experiment. Comparison of the time series of suction between the simulation and the experimental result suggested that some additional measurements need to be obtained experimentally to improve the accuracy of the model. Sensitivity experiments showed that grain size and snow density heterogeneity affected both the size of the preferential flow path and the arrival time of liquid water at the snow base. These results suggest that more measurements of small-scale spatial variability in natural snow are needed to improve the model.

Distribution of macro charcoal from forest fires in shallow soils of the Northern Alps

In our study area in the Northern Limestone Alps (Austria), forest fires are rare; however, they may be stand-replacing and can trigger severe erosion. The aim of our study was to find out if where and to which extent charcoal is stored in the Rendzic Leptosols of the affected slopes and if the charcoal can be used to reconstruct earlier forest fires. We took soil samples from shallow soil pits on >20 slopes affected by forest fires in the last few centuries. On four slopes of different age after fire (2003, 1962, 1946 and 1250 AD), samples were taken from each soil horizon. We pre-screened the samples in the field and investigated 167 of them in the laboratory for macroscopically visible charcoal fragments (>1 mm). We calculated the percentage of charcoal and derived a simplified model of spatial distribution and temporal behaviour. Mean charcoal concentration was 0.452 % (by bulk weight) for known forest fire sites and 0.067 % in their presumably unburnt surrounding. Significantly elevated charcoal concentrations (exceeding 0.15 %) can be used as evidence to delimit historical forest fire sites, even if there is a certain background concentration in the surrounding due to aeolian transport and to earlier fires, and small-scale spatial variability is very high. Charcoal may be found in very different positions within the profiles; frequently, the particles are concentrated on top of the Ah horizon and a post-fire O horizon has developed on top of them. 14C dating of buried charcoal assemblages revealed the existence of earlier events (c. 3 000–500 BP) well before the last known historical forest fires. The vertical distribution of charcoal fragments is influenced by fire characteristics, elapsed time and by the intensity of erosion. Charcoal concentration and mean particle size decrease with age due to erosion and translocation; however, if erosion is moderate, charcoal can be conserved for centuries. A conceptual model of vertical charcoal distribution is presented.

A mobile system for quantifying the spatial variability of the surface energy balance: design and application.

We present a mobile device for the quantification of the small-scale (a few square meters) spatial variability in the surface energy balance components and several auxiliary variables of short-statured (<1 m) canopies. The key element of the mobile device is a handheld four-component net radiometer for the quantification of net radiation, albedo and infrared surface temperature, which is complemented with measurements of air temperature, wind speed, soil temperature and soil water content. Data are acquired by a battery-powered data logger, which is mounted on a backpack together with the auxiliary sensors. The proposed device was developed to bridge between the spatial scales of satellite/airborne remote sensing and fixed, stationary tower-based measurements with an emphasis on micrometeorological, catchment hydrological and landscape–ecological research questions. The potential of the new device is demonstrated through four selected case studies, which cover the issues of net radiation heterogeneity within the footprint of eddy covariance flux measurements due to (1) land use and (2) slope and aspect of the underlying surface, (3) controls on landscape-scale variability in soil temperature and albedo and (4) the estimation of evapotranspiration based exclusively on measurements with the mobile device.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00484-014-0875-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sarpa salpa herbivory on shallow reaches of Posidonia oceanica beds

Here, we examined the temporal and small–scale spatial variability of grazing by the herbivorous fish Sarpa salpa on shallow beds of the temperate seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Herbivory intensity expressed as the percent of leaf area taken by fish bites was higher in September 2006 than in February 2007, and at 0.5 m than at 1.5 m during both sampling times. All S. salpa feeding at the shallow locations studied were juveniles, with bite sizes ranging from 0.03 to 0.62 cm2. Juveniles feeding at 1.5 m were larger in February 2007 than in September 2006, as evidenced by significant differences in mean bite size per shoot. However, the larger juveniles feeding at 1.5 m in February 2007 did not appear to feed as frequently as the comparatively smaller juveniles feeding at the same depth in September 2006, as suggested by significant differences in number of bites per shoot. The number of bites per shoot was also lower at 1.5 m than at 0.5 m in February 2007, although mean bite size did not differ significantly between the two depths at that sampling time. In general S. salpa juveniles did not select a particular range of leaf ages when feeding in the study locations, although the juveniles feeding at 1.5 m in September 2006 appeared to select mid–aged leaves. Fish did not show a preference for more epiphytized leaves. These results show that grazing activity by S. salpa juveniles in shallow reaches of P. oceanica meadows may vary temporally and across small changes in depth, which in turn may affect the overall intensity of herbivory on the seagrass.

Small-scale spatial variability in phylogenetic community structure during early plant succession depends on soil properties.

During early plant succession, the phylogenetic structure of a community changes in response to important environmental filters and emerging species interactions. We traced the development of temperate-zone plant communities during the first 7 years of primary succession on catchment soils to explore patterns of initial species assembly. We found pronounced small-scale differences in the phylogenetic composition of neighbouring plant assemblages and a large-scale trend towards phylogenetic evenness. This small-scale variability appears to be mediated by soil properties, particularly carbonate content. Therefore, abiotic environmental conditions might counteract or even supersede the effects of interspecific competition among closely related species, which are usually predicted to exhibit patterns of phylogenetic evenness. We conclude that theories on phylogenetic community composition need to incorporate effects of small-scale variability of environmental factors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00442-014-2954-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.