The depletion of fucoids on a rocky intertidal shore and its effect on molluscs

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract: Fucoids make up a group of brown algae that serve as ecosystem engineers on rocky intertidal shores. They form habitats and modify their environment, often serving as facilitators to other surrounding species. Fucoids have been observed to decline on the Hewatt transect at Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, California, consistent with similar observation around the world. Here, we quantify and demonstrate the decline of mean fucoid abundance across quadrats that were once dominated by these brown algae. We also hypothesize that the depletion of fucoid abundance has led to the decrease in mollusc abundance, due to the facilitation relationship between fucoids and molluscs. The abundance of Limpets, Littorina, Tegula, and Chitons were examined in 1933 and compared to present day (2020, 2021). Varying results were found for each of the four selected groups. A correlation between the decline of fucoids and the decline of Limpets was observed. With fucoids known to be decreasing in abundance in several rocky shores around the world, such a study is necessary 25 to investigate and understand the effect of fucoid depletion on their surrounding marine ecosystem.

Author	Buabbas, Hana

DOI	https://doi.org/10.25740/sx610hq5276
Location	https://purl.stanford.edu/sx610hq5276

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License: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY).

Preferred citation: Buabbas, H. (2022). The depletion of fucoids on a rocky intertidal shore and its effect on molluscs. Stanford Digital Repository. Final report for BIOHOPK47. Available at https://purl.stanford.edu/sx610hq5276

BIOHOPK 47: Introduction to Research in Ecology and Ecological Physiology

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