2 Dynamics of Spatial and Temporal Complexity
in European and North American Soft-Bottom
Mussel Beds
J.A. COMMITO and N.M.J.A. DANKERS
2.1 Introduction
Mussel beds are conspicuous features of temperate and boreal coastlines.
Beds of the edible or blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, can extend for kilometers
along the shore. Soft-bottom beds have density, biomass, and respiratory flow
values among the highest of any community known (Nixon et al. 1971; Seed
1976; Asmus 1987). In Europe, both rocky shore and soft-bottom mussel beds
have been well studied for many years because of their ecological importance
and economic value as a wild and cultured fishery. In North America it is
probably fair to say that rocky shore mussel beds have received the lion's share
of attention because of the role they have historically played as a model
system, one that is especially amenable to experimental manipulations in the
field. Investigations such as those by Paine (1966) and Dayton (1971) along
the Pacific shore, generally involving Mytilus californianus, have become
classics in the field of ecology and were among the first to demonstrate the
power of field experiments. This focus on rocky shore mussels by North
American ecologists has resulted in less knowledge about soft-bottom MytiIus edulis beds on western Atlantic shores than along the coastlines of European countries.
In this chapter, we examine some of the key characteristics of soft-bottom
mussel beds, with an emphasis on the spatial and temporal dynamics of
Mytilus edulis. In particular, we discuss the structure of mussel beds, both in
aerial view (spatial pattern in the horizontal plane) and in vertical profile
(surface topography). Mussel-bed structure is considered in light of some
important recent advances in benthic ecology, including adult-larval interactions, costs and benefits of group living in sessile organisms, and flowmediated regulation of communities by top-down and bottom-up processes.
Ecological Studies, Vol. 151
K. Reise (ed.) Ecological Comparisons
of Sedimentary Shores
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2001
in European and North American Soft-Bottom
Mussel Beds
J.A. COMMITO and N.M.J.A. DANKERS
2.1 Introduction
Mussel beds are conspicuous features of temperate and boreal coastlines.
Beds of the edible or blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, can extend for kilometers
along the shore. Soft-bottom beds have density, biomass, and respiratory flow
values among the highest of any community known (Nixon et al. 1971; Seed
1976; Asmus 1987). In Europe, both rocky shore and soft-bottom mussel beds
have been well studied for many years because of their ecological importance
and economic value as a wild and cultured fishery. In North America it is
probably fair to say that rocky shore mussel beds have received the lion's share
of attention because of the role they have historically played as a model
system, one that is especially amenable to experimental manipulations in the
field. Investigations such as those by Paine (1966) and Dayton (1971) along
the Pacific shore, generally involving Mytilus californianus, have become
classics in the field of ecology and were among the first to demonstrate the
power of field experiments. This focus on rocky shore mussels by North
American ecologists has resulted in less knowledge about soft-bottom MytiIus edulis beds on western Atlantic shores than along the coastlines of European countries.
In this chapter, we examine some of the key characteristics of soft-bottom
mussel beds, with an emphasis on the spatial and temporal dynamics of
Mytilus edulis. In particular, we discuss the structure of mussel beds, both in
aerial view (spatial pattern in the horizontal plane) and in vertical profile
(surface topography). Mussel-bed structure is considered in light of some
important recent advances in benthic ecology, including adult-larval interactions, costs and benefits of group living in sessile organisms, and flowmediated regulation of communities by top-down and bottom-up processes.
Ecological Studies, Vol. 151
K. Reise (ed.) Ecological Comparisons
of Sedimentary Shores
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2001