Testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis in species-poor systems: A simulation experiment for mangrove forests
Cyril Piou
Uta Berger
Hanno Hildenbrandt
Ilka C. Feller
Abstract
Questions:
What factors influence tree species diversity of mangrove forests, an example of species‐poor systems? What are the respective importance and interactions of these factors? Is the intermediate disturbance hypothesis applicable to such systems?
Methods:
We used the spatially explicit individual‐based model Ki Wi to investigate the effects on species diversity of perturbation frequency and intensity, different abiotic conditions, and interspecific competition simulated at the individual level. The simulation system considered the three dominant Caribbean mangrove species: Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germin‐ans and Laguncularia racemosa, applying species‐specific growth and mortality characteristics. Firstly, effects on species dominance of the abiotic conditions nutrient availability and porewater salinity were tested with two competition scenarios. Secondly, the effect of perturbation frequency and intensity were investigated with selected abiotic conditions.
Results:
Abiotic conditions influenced species dominance and, in extreme cases, excluded one or two species. Abiotic and competition settings controlled the successional dynamics and the response of species dominance to perturbation regimes. A response consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis was observed only with a configuration of plant interaction in which one species behaved as a pioneer so that succession occurred by competitive exclusion.
Conclusions:
We suggest that successional dynamics interact with the intensity and timing of perturbations and determine whether or not mangrove tree diversity conforms to predictions of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. For mangroves, these successional dynamics are site‐specific depending on abiotic conditions and species configurations.
Piou C., Berger U., Hildenbrandt H. and Feller I.C. (2008) Testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis in species-poor systems: A simulation experiment for mangrove forests. Journal of Vegetation Science 19(3): 417-424. 10.3170/2008-8-18384
@article{Piou2008,
Title = {Testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis in species-poor systems: A simulation experiment for mangrove forests},
Author = {Piou, Cyril and Berger, Uta and Hildenbrandt, Hanno and Feller, Ilka C.},
Editor = {},
Journal = {Journal of Vegetation Science},
Year = {2008},
Pages = {417-424},
Volume = {19},
Doi = {10.3170/2008-8-18384},
Abstract = {Questions:
What factors influence tree species diversity of mangrove forests, an example of species‐poor systems? What are the respective importance and interactions of these factors? Is the intermediate disturbance hypothesis applicable to such systems?
Methods:
We used the spatially explicit individual‐based model Ki Wi to investigate the effects on species diversity of perturbation frequency and intensity, different abiotic conditions, and interspecific competition simulated at the individual level. The simulation system considered the three dominant Caribbean mangrove species: Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germin‐ans and Laguncularia racemosa, applying species‐specific growth and mortality characteristics. Firstly, effects on species dominance of the abiotic conditions nutrient availability and porewater salinity were tested with two competition scenarios. Secondly, the effect of perturbation frequency and intensity were investigated with selected abiotic conditions.
Results:
Abiotic conditions influenced species dominance and, in extreme cases, excluded one or two species. Abiotic and competition settings controlled the successional dynamics and the response of species dominance to perturbation regimes. A response consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis was observed only with a configuration of plant interaction in which one species behaved as a pioneer so that succession occurred by competitive exclusion.
Conclusions:
We suggest that successional dynamics interact with the intensity and timing of perturbations and determine whether or not mangrove tree diversity conforms to predictions of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. For mangroves, these successional dynamics are site‐specific depending on abiotic conditions and species configurations.},
}
TY - JOUR
AU - Piou, Cyril
AU - Berger, Uta
AU - Hildenbrandt, Hanno
AU - Feller, Ilka C.
TI - Testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis in species-poor systems: A simulation experiment for mangrove forests
T2 - Journal of Vegetation Science
PY - 2008
SP - 417-424
VL - 19
DO - 10.3170/2008-8-18384
AB - Questions:
What factors influence tree species diversity of mangrove forests, an example of species‐poor systems? What are the respective importance and interactions of these factors? Is the intermediate disturbance hypothesis applicable to such systems?
Methods:
We used the spatially explicit individual‐based model Ki Wi to investigate the effects on species diversity of perturbation frequency and intensity, different abiotic conditions, and interspecific competition simulated at the individual level. The simulation system considered the three dominant Caribbean mangrove species: Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germin‐ans and Laguncularia racemosa, applying species‐specific growth and mortality characteristics. Firstly, effects on species dominance of the abiotic conditions nutrient availability and porewater salinity were tested with two competition scenarios. Secondly, the effect of perturbation frequency and intensity were investigated with selected abiotic conditions.
Results:
Abiotic conditions influenced species dominance and, in extreme cases, excluded one or two species. Abiotic and competition settings controlled the successional dynamics and the response of species dominance to perturbation regimes. A response consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis was observed only with a configuration of plant interaction in which one species behaved as a pioneer so that succession occurred by competitive exclusion.
Conclusions:
We suggest that successional dynamics interact with the intensity and timing of perturbations and determine whether or not mangrove tree diversity conforms to predictions of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. For mangroves, these successional dynamics are site‐specific depending on abiotic conditions and species configurations.
ER -
