Local vs regional effects of substratum on early colonization stages of sessile assemblages.

Published source details Guarnieri G., Terlizzi A., Bevilacqua S. & Fraschetti S. (2009) Local vs regional effects of substratum on early colonization stages of sessile assemblages.. Biofouling, 25, 593-604.
Share Tweet Email

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Create textured surfaces (≤1 mm) on subtidal artificial structures Action Link
	Use environmentally-sensitive material on subtidal artificial structures Action Link

Create textured surfaces (≤1 mm) on subtidal artificial structures

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2005 on three subtidal rocky reefs on open coastlines in the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea, Italy (Guarnieri et al. 2009) found that settlement plates with and without textured surfaces supported similar macroalgae and non-mobile invertebrate species richness, live cover and community composition, while abundances varied depending on the species group and site. After nine months, there was no clear difference in the macroalgae and non-mobile invertebrate community composition, species richness or live cover on plates with and without textured surfaces (data reported as statistical model results). Non-mobile invertebrates were more abundant on plates with texture (<1–6% cover) than without (<1–2%) but the difference was only significant at one of six sites. Macroalgal abundances varied by species group and site (see paper for results). Limestone, sandstone, granite and concrete settlement plates (150 × 100 mm) were made with and without textured surfaces. Five of each material-texture combination were randomly arranged, horizontally at 5 m depth in each of two sites on each of three limestone rocky reefs in February 2005. Macroalgae and non-mobile invertebrates on plates were counted in the laboratory over nine months.

(Summarised by: Ally Evans)
Use environmentally-sensitive material on subtidal artificial structures

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2005 on three subtidal rocky reefs on open coastlines in the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea, Italy (Guarnieri et al. 2009) found that limestone, sandstone, granite and concrete settlement plates supported similar macroalgae and non-mobile invertebrate live cover, while community composition, species richness and abundances varied depending on the site and species group. After nine months, macroalgae and non-mobile invertebrate community composition differed between limestone and concrete and between sandstone and concrete plates in four of six sites each, and between sandstone and concrete plates in two of six sites, but did not differ in the other sites (data reported as statistical model results). Live cover was similar on all materials, while species richness comparisons varied by site (data not reported). Abundance comparisons varied by species group and site (see paper for results). Limestone, sandstone, granite and concrete settlement plates (150 × 100 mm) were made with and without textured surfaces. Five of each material-texture combination were randomly arranged horizontally at 5 m depth in each of two sites on each of three limestone reefs in February 2005. Macroalgae and non-mobile invertebrates on plates were counted in the laboratory after nine months.

(Summarised by: Ally Evans)