14 Recovery Dynamics in Benthic Communities:
Balancing Detail with Simplification
S.P. THRUSH and R.B. WHITLATCH
14.1 Introduction
Attempting to match pattern with dynamic processes has a long history in
ecology (Kitching 1937; Watt 1947). For marine soft-sediment macrobenthic
communities, the disturbance mosaic model (Johnson 1970, 1973) has
provided a dynamic framework in which to describe patterns of spatial
heterogeneity and biodiversity. The model describes the role of local disturbance events in producing patches containing benthic assemblages with different compositions at different successional stages. The perspective provided by
this conceptual model emphasises that benthic communities are complex and
dynamic. Spatial heterogeneity created by local disturbance events can
account for resource patchiness (Thistle 1981; Van Blaricom 1982), communities with mixed trophic structure (Probert 1984) and ubiquity of opportunistic species. Thus, local disturbance events frequently playa central role in
influencing the structure and function of benthic communities.
Field experiments that involve monitoring macrobenthic recolonisation in
previously defaunated sediments have provided insights into the nature of
benthic succession and the relative importance of various biotic and abiotic
factors affecting the recovery process. These experimental studies are often
interpreted and generalised within the patch -dynamic conceptual framework
developed by Johnson (1970, 1973). This information is also often used to help
understand or predict the ecological consequences of much larger scale disturbance events. Practical and ethical considerations limit the scales over
which field experiments are feasible (Kareiva and Andersen 1988; Schneider
1994; Thrush et al. 1996a, 1997a, 2000). Since experimentally defaunated
sediment patches used in experiments are typically restricted to spatial scales
of centimetres to metres, we must be cautious about scaling-up.
Scaling-up is not as straightforward as directly extrapolating from results
at smaller scales. Non-linear processes are most likely to be important in
organising the shift from one range of scales to another. Not only can broadEcological Studies, Vol. 151
K. Reise (ed.) Ecological Comparisons
of Sedimentary Shores
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2001
Balancing Detail with Simplification
S.P. THRUSH and R.B. WHITLATCH
14.1 Introduction
Attempting to match pattern with dynamic processes has a long history in
ecology (Kitching 1937; Watt 1947). For marine soft-sediment macrobenthic
communities, the disturbance mosaic model (Johnson 1970, 1973) has
provided a dynamic framework in which to describe patterns of spatial
heterogeneity and biodiversity. The model describes the role of local disturbance events in producing patches containing benthic assemblages with different compositions at different successional stages. The perspective provided by
this conceptual model emphasises that benthic communities are complex and
dynamic. Spatial heterogeneity created by local disturbance events can
account for resource patchiness (Thistle 1981; Van Blaricom 1982), communities with mixed trophic structure (Probert 1984) and ubiquity of opportunistic species. Thus, local disturbance events frequently playa central role in
influencing the structure and function of benthic communities.
Field experiments that involve monitoring macrobenthic recolonisation in
previously defaunated sediments have provided insights into the nature of
benthic succession and the relative importance of various biotic and abiotic
factors affecting the recovery process. These experimental studies are often
interpreted and generalised within the patch -dynamic conceptual framework
developed by Johnson (1970, 1973). This information is also often used to help
understand or predict the ecological consequences of much larger scale disturbance events. Practical and ethical considerations limit the scales over
which field experiments are feasible (Kareiva and Andersen 1988; Schneider
1994; Thrush et al. 1996a, 1997a, 2000). Since experimentally defaunated
sediment patches used in experiments are typically restricted to spatial scales
of centimetres to metres, we must be cautious about scaling-up.
Scaling-up is not as straightforward as directly extrapolating from results
at smaller scales. Non-linear processes are most likely to be important in
organising the shift from one range of scales to another. Not only can broadEcological Studies, Vol. 151
K. Reise (ed.) Ecological Comparisons
of Sedimentary Shores
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2001