LTREB: Experimental tests of alternative states on rocky intertidal shores

本研究探讨了沿着岩石潮间带常见的藻类群落和贻贝群落的生态因子。在缅因州湾，冬季冰冲刷经常会清除贻贝和大型藻类，这些藻类被称为岩藻，但目前尚不清楚物种重建是偶然的（即，冰冲刷可以将岩藻变成贻贝床，反之亦然）还是确定性的（贻贝床总是返回贻贝床）。 在生态学中，火灾、飓风甚至石油泄漏等干扰可以突然将一种群落类型转变为另一种群落类型的想法被称为替代稳定状态理论。 Petraitis和Dudgeon正在使用他们在1996-1997年创建并持续到2008年的大型实验性清理来测试这一理论。 2010年，一半的试验田将被重新清理，恢复到最初的条件，并至少再跟踪五年。 未重新清除的地块用作对照。 如果岩藻群和贻贝床是真正的替代状态，那么将实验地块重新设置为初始条件应该会产生与先前观察到的不同的结果。 如果继承是决定性的，那么过去应该预测未来。 这种方法从来没有被用来测试在自然条件下的替代状态和研究具有广泛的影响，在其他生态群落的替代状态的研究。该项目包括在线管理和传播数据的计划，K-12学生和教师的参与，以及对研究正在进行的缅因州当地社区的推广工作。高中学生和教师参与数据收集。这项研究的数据集代表了全世界最全面的潮间带系统数据集之一，对于建立长期基线、数据挖掘和与这一具体项目无关的回顾性分析非常宝贵。 数据文件和结果将通过开发一个单独的网页提供给高中学生和K-12教师。

This research investigates the ecological factors that drive the patchwork pattern of algal stands and mussel beds common in the rocky intertidal zone along ocean coasts. In the Gulf of Maine, winter ice scour often removes mussels and macroalgae, which are known as rockweeds, but it is not known if the species re-establishment is accidental (that is, ice scour can switch a rockweed stand into a mussel bed and vice versa) or deterministic (mussel beds always return to mussel beds). In ecology, the idea that disturbances such as fires, hurricanes, and even oil spills can abruptly switch one community type into another is known as theory of alternative stable states. Petraitis and Dudgeon are testing this theory using large experimental clearings they created in 1996-1997 and followed through 2008. In 2010, half of the experimental plots will be re-cleared, re-set to initial conditions, and followed for at least five more years. Plots that are not re-cleared serve as controls. If rockweed stands and mussel beds are truly alternative states, then re-setting experimental plots to initial conditions should produce different outcomes than previously observed. If succession is deterministic, then the past should predict the future. This approach has never been used to test for alternative states under natural conditions and the research has broad implications for studies of alternative states in other ecological communities. The project includes plans for online management and dissemination of data, involvement of K-12 students and teachers, and outreach efforts to the local community in Maine where the research is being done. High school students and teachers are involved in data collection. Datasets from this study represent one of the most comprehensive collections of data on intertidal systems world-wide and are invaluable for establishing long-term baselines, data mining and retrospective analyses unrelated to this specific project. Data files and results will be made accessible to high school students and K-12 teachers through the development of a separate web page.