Habitat fragmentation as a process: how habitat context influences the effects of eelgrass loss on epifaunal community structure

在本研究项目中，研究者将开展一系列野外实验，以确定实验性破碎化海草栖息地对地外群落结构的影响是否由海洋栖息地中通常共变的环境因素介导：结构复杂性和捕食风险。知识价值。陆地和海洋系统的研究共同表明，斑块的影响在很大程度上取决于景观背景，即单个景观的特征和环境。生境破碎化对生态过程的影响在景观文脉变化方面的研究进展缓慢。本研究的实验直接解决了生境结构在调节关键苗圃生境生态过程中的作用这一主要问题，并初步探讨了三个重要概念：(1)群落如何响应生境破碎化过程，而不仅仅是群落在连续区和斑块区之间的差异；（二）生境破碎化的两个主要组成部分（生境丧失和斑块性增加）对生物多样性的相对影响；(3)自然生境中的共变因子如何改变动物对生境大规模变化的反应。更广泛的影响。海草提供了重要的生态系统服务，包括为许多鱼类和无脊椎动物的幼体、幼体和成体形成重要的避难所和觅食区，这些鱼类和无脊椎动物以各种无脊椎动物和动物为食。然而，破坏海草栖息地的干扰越来越普遍，世界上大约30%的海草栖息地已经消失。对海草栖息地的干扰可能改变植物和无脊椎食草动物之间的反馈，从而影响生态系统功能，并可能增加对物种入侵的易感性。除了解决这些应用问题外，这项研究还包括生物科学中代表性不足的群体的参与。该项目的学生助理是从SDSU通往学士学位课程的桥梁中挑选出来的。研究者通过圣地亚哥海洋发现研究所为K - 12学生开展了拓展活动。

In this research project, the investigator will carry out a set of field experiments to determine whether the effects of experimentally fragmenting seagrass habitat on epifaunal community structure are mediated by environmental factors that typically co-vary in marine habitats: structural complexity and predation risk. Intellectual merit. Studies in terrestrial and marine systems collectively show that the effects of patchiness depend largely on landscape context, i.e., the characteristics and settings of individual landscapes. Progress in exploring what aspects of landscape context modify effects of habitat fragmentation on ecological processes has been slow. The experiments developed for this research directly address primary questions about the role of habitat structure in moderating ecological processes in a critical nursery habitat, and take initial steps forward to explore three important concepts: (i) how communities respond to the process of habitat fragmentation, rather than simply how communities differ between continuous and patchy areas; (ii) the relative influences of the two major components of habitat fragmentation (habitat loss and increasing patchiness) on biodiversity; and (iii) how co-varying factors in naturally occurring habitats alter faunal responses to large-scale alteration of habitat.Broader impacts. Seagrasses provide critical ecosystem services including the formation of critical refuge and foraging areas for the postlarvae, juveniles, and adults of many species of fishes and invertebrates that feed on diverse assemblages of invertebrate epifauna and infauna. However, disturbances that fragments seagrass habitat are increasingly common and approximately 30% of the world's seagrass habitat has been lost. Disturbances to seagrass habitat may alter feedbacks between plants and invertebrate grazers that influence ecosystem function and may increase susceptibility to species invasions. In addition to addressing these applied issues, this research includes participation of under-represented groups in the biological sciences. Student assistants for the project are selected from the SDSU Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program. The investigator has developed outreach activities for K - 12 students through San Diego's Ocean Discovery Institute.