LTREB: Experimental tests of alternative states on rocky intertidal shores

这项研究调查了驱动海洋沿岸岩石潮间带常见的藻类林和贻贝床拼凑格局的生态因素。在缅因湾，冬季的冰川冲刷通常会清除贻贝和大型藻类，这被称为岩藻，但尚不清楚该物种的重建是偶然的(即，冰川冲刷可以将岩藻变成贻贝，反之亦然)还是确定性的(贻贝总是回到贻贝)。在生态学中，火灾、飓风甚至石油泄漏等干扰会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。彼得雷蒂斯和道金正在使用他们在1996-1997年间创建的大型实验林隙来测试这一理论，并一直跟踪到2008年。2010年，一半的试验田将被重新清理，重新设置为初始状态，并至少再跟踪五年。未重新清除的地块用作控制。如果岩藻林和贻贝床真的是另一种状态，那么将实验田重新设置为初始状态应该会产生与之前观察到的结果不同的结果。如果继任是确定性的，那么过去应该预测未来。这种方法从未被用来测试自然条件下的替代状态，这项研究对其他生态群落中替代状态的研究具有广泛的影响。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，以及对缅因州正在进行研究的当地社区的外联努力。高中生和老师都参与了数据收集。这项研究的数据集是世界上关于潮间带系统的最全面的数据收集之一，对于建立与这一具体项目无关的长期基线、数据挖掘和回溯性分析是非常宝贵的。数据文件和结果将通过开发单独的网页向高中生和K-12教师提供。

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.