New metric of microhabitat complexity predicts species richness on a rocky shore

Justin J Meager; Thomas Schlacher

doi:10.1111/maec.12049

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New metric of microhabitat complexity predicts species richness on a rocky shore

Journal article

Peer reviewed

New metric of microhabitat complexity predicts species richness on a rocky shore

Justin J Meager and Thomas Schlacher

Marine Ecology, Vol.34(4), pp.484-491

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12049

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Abstract

biodiversity

invertebrates

microhabitat

rocky intertidal

spatial scale

subtropical Australia

surface architecture

Most habitat complexity-species diversity relationships are specific to the habitat type, taxonomic group and spatial scale investigated. There is a need for a biologically relevant metric of habitat complexity that is transferable across systems and scales. Here, we introduce a novel metric of landscape microhabitat complexity that may overcome such constraints. It is scaled to the size of individual organisms and it numerically captures structural elements of the habitat that are biologically relevant to individuals. Our model ecosystem to develop this metric was a rocky shore in Eastern Australia. Here species richness of invertebrates was linked to habitat complexity quantified by the new metric. Importantly, measurements made at the scale of the organism predicted species richness at the landscape scale. Testing the generality of this approach across different systems may prove useful in a broader conservation biology context.

Details

Title: New metric of microhabitat complexity predicts species richness on a rocky shore
Authors: Justin J Meager (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Thomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Marine Ecology, Vol.34(4), pp.484-491
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Verlag GmbH
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1111/maec.12049
ISSN: 0173-9565
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449053102621
Output Type: Journal article

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