spatial patterns in herbivory on a coral reef are influenced by structural complexity but not by algal traits空间模式在食草性珊瑚礁受到结构复杂性的影响但不是由藻类特征.pdfVIP

Spatial Patterns in Herbivory on a Coral Reef Are Influenced by Structural Complexity but Not by Algal Traits ´ 1,2 2,3 4 2 Adriana Verges *, Mathew A. Vanderklift , Christopher Doropoulos , Glenn A. Hyndes 1 Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2 Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia, 3 CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship, Wembley, Australia, 4 School of Biological Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Abstract Background: Patterns of herbivory can alter the spatial structure of ecosystems, with important consequences for ecosystem functions and biodiversity. While the factors that drive spatial patterns in herbivory in terrestrial systems are well established, comparatively less is known about what influences the distribution of herbivory in coral reefs. Methodology and Principal Findings: We quantified spatial patterns of macroalgal consumption in a cross-section of Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia). We used a combination of descriptive and experimental approaches to assess the influence of multiple macroalgal traits and structural complexity in establishing the observed spatial patterns in macroalgal herbivory, and to identify potential feedback mechanisms between herbivory and macroalgal nutritional quality. Spatial patterns in macroalgal consumption were best explained by differences in structural complexity among habitats. The