Intertidal ecology of a western ocean boundary system: advancing seascape science

我的研究项目将调查位于加拿大大西洋的西部海洋边界系统的潮间带海景生态学。目标是：(1)确定岩石潮间带群落的纬度和年际变化模式，(2)调查这些模式背后的非生物和生物因素，以及(3)评估功能后果。我建议以新斯科舍省大陆开阔的大西洋海岸作为模型系统。这条海岸从北到南长达400多公里，呈现出复杂的海洋和生物地理结构，这使它成为我研究目标的理想之地。这项工作将通过研究生和本科生的监督来完成。在连续的几年里，我们将在横跨这个海岸的不同地点的两个海拔带（高和低）确定所有宏观藻类和无脊椎动物物种的夏季丰度。多变量分析将揭示沿岸生物地理格局。通过比较两个海拔高度的沿岸格局，我们将检验一个生物地理假设，该假设是为了改进生物地理预测而提出的。我们还将测量优势无柄无脊椎动物的招募，以检验关于沿海上升流和冲浪带宽度影响的假设。利用原位数据记录仪和卫星数据，我们还将确定海面温度、低潮期间气温、春季浮冰和远洋食物供应（浮游植物和颗粒有机碳）的纬度和年际变化。我们还将进行可操作的野外实验，以确定沿岸竞争、促进、草食和捕食方面的变化，包括树冠形成的海藻、食草蜗牛、藤壶、贻贝和底栖捕食者。我们将研究这些非生物和生物因素的相对重要性，以统计方式解释观察到的群落模式。最后，我们将讨论功能后果。功能性状是预测生态功能的物种特性，因此我们将记录功能性状多样性的纬度和年际变化，并探讨可能的驱动因素。该研究项目符合联合国海洋科学十年（2021-2030）的目标。此外，潮间带海景科学的大部分研究都是针对东部海洋边界系统进行的，因此我对西部海洋边界系统的研究将使海景理论更具预测性。特别是为了加拿大的利益，通过确定最佳预测新斯科舍省海岸潮间带生物地理所需的变量，我们将更好地了解应该监测哪些变量来预测未来生物对气候和海洋变化的反应。此外，生成的物种数据库对于评估未来几十年的生态变化可能是非常宝贵的。总的来说，我的研究计划应该帮助加拿大人保护这种独特的生物多样性和这些生物所维持的生态功能。

My research program will investigate intertidal seascape ecology for a western ocean boundary system located in Atlantic Canada. The objectives are: (1) to determine the latitudinal and interannual patterns of variation in rocky intertidal communities, (2) to investigate abiotic and biotic factors underlying such patterns, and (3) to evaluate the functional consequences. I propose to use the open Atlantic coast of mainland Nova Scotia as a model system. This coast runs for more than 400 km from north to south and exhibits a complex oceanographic and biogeographic structure that makes it ideal for my research goals. This work will be accomplished through the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students. In consecutive years, we will determine the summer abundance of all macroscopic species of algae and invertebrates at two elevation zones (high and low) at various locations spanning this coast. Multivariate analyses will unravel alongshore biogeographic patterns. By comparing alongshore pattern between both elevations, we will test a biogeographic hypothesis developed to improve biogeographic predictions. We will also measure the recruitment of the dominant sessile invertebrates to test hypotheses on the influence of coastal upwelling and surf zone width. Using in-situ data loggers and satellite data, we will also determine the latitudinal and interannual variation of sea surface temperature, air temperature during low tides, drift sea ice in spring, and pelagic food supply (phytoplankton and particulate organic carbon). We will also conduct manipulative field experiments to determine the alongshore variation in competition, facilitation, herbivory, and predation involving canopy-forming seaweeds, grazing snails, barnacles, mussels, and benthic predators. We will examine the relative importance of these abiotic and biotic factors to statistically explain the observed community patterns. Finally, we will address the functional consequences. Functional traits are species properties that predict ecological function, so we will document latitudinal and interannual changes in functional trait diversity and investigate possible drivers. This research program fits the goals of United Nations' Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030). Moreover, most research on intertidal seascape science has been conducted for eastern ocean boundary systems, so my research on a western ocean boundary system will make seascape theory more predictive. In particular for Canada's interests, by identifying the variables needed to best predict intertidal biogeography along Nova Scotia's coast, we will better know what variables should be monitored to predict future biotic responses to climate and oceanographic change. In addition, the generated species database could be invaluable to assess ecological change decades into the future. Overall, my research program should help Canadians to preserve this unique biodiversity and the ecological functions these organisms sustain.