13 Can We use a Landscape Approach to Assess Natural and Anthropogenic . . .
215
counted: TnMB = n(green + white)B + nbrown/red B. Through this method, the
rate of green cover is equal to the rate of green boulders. As illustrated on the
Fig. 13.5, studies are on the way at the laboratory to better describe the processes of
degradation—restoration of the biocenosis and the time required for one boulder
to recover a full brown/red macroalgae canopy and to better indentify responses
of species and group of species to the perturbation.
13.8 Conclusion
These examples of using opportunistic species behavior to characterize and survey
the spatio-temporal variability of an anthropogenic perturbation, shows that the intertidalscape provides large perspectives for further developing the intertidalscape
ecology approach. Wu and Hobbs (2002) underlined that the challenge was now to
better define and identify strong relationships between spatial distributions and ecological processes. As evocated in this paper we are developing ecological studies to
identify the species, functional groups and biotic interactions which are the driving
force behind the observed changes at the landscape scales. On the other hand, efforts
must be brought at the intertidal ecocomplex level to better understand complexity
and heterogeneity of landscape components at different imbricate scales. Because of
this high heterogeneity, ecological processes and patterns distributions seem sometimes incomprehensible and biocenoses seem chaotic (Menge and Branch 2000).
A new approach of the ecological interactions and processes at the landscape scale
should help to understand some patterns which cannot be understood at the smaller
scales which are classically used by marine ecologists because the high heterogeneity and complexity of the rocky shores. By developing intertidalscape indicators and
landscape ecology concepts which can be applied or adapted to the intertidal zone,
it would be further possible to better detect early signs of perturbations, and then
this landscape approach could play a main role in the long term monitoring of the
environmental coastal quality in the future. Actually, to be robust and to avoid broad
interpretation errors because perturbations step in different spatial scales from the
global to the local, ecological surveys should be realized at regional scales. Early signal detection given by the intertidalscape indices should be able to activate specific
scientific studies to better understand processes and, by helping management and
conservation, should be able to prevent strong degradations of the ecosystem quality.
Acknowledgments We thank F. Delisle, J. Allain, A. Sturbois and A. Ponsero from the VivArmor
Nature Association and the Natural Reserve of the Saint-Brieuc Bay for assisting us on the field
and for photos.
References
Bellan G, Bellan-Santini D (1972) Influence de la pollution sur les peuplements marins de la région
de Marseille. In: Ruivo M (ed) Marine pollution and sea life. Fishing News Ltd. Survey, pp
396–401
215
counted: TnMB = n(green + white)B + nbrown/red B. Through this method, the
rate of green cover is equal to the rate of green boulders. As illustrated on the
Fig. 13.5, studies are on the way at the laboratory to better describe the processes of
degradation—restoration of the biocenosis and the time required for one boulder
to recover a full brown/red macroalgae canopy and to better indentify responses
of species and group of species to the perturbation.
13.8 Conclusion
These examples of using opportunistic species behavior to characterize and survey
the spatio-temporal variability of an anthropogenic perturbation, shows that the intertidalscape provides large perspectives for further developing the intertidalscape
ecology approach. Wu and Hobbs (2002) underlined that the challenge was now to
better define and identify strong relationships between spatial distributions and ecological processes. As evocated in this paper we are developing ecological studies to
identify the species, functional groups and biotic interactions which are the driving
force behind the observed changes at the landscape scales. On the other hand, efforts
must be brought at the intertidal ecocomplex level to better understand complexity
and heterogeneity of landscape components at different imbricate scales. Because of
this high heterogeneity, ecological processes and patterns distributions seem sometimes incomprehensible and biocenoses seem chaotic (Menge and Branch 2000).
A new approach of the ecological interactions and processes at the landscape scale
should help to understand some patterns which cannot be understood at the smaller
scales which are classically used by marine ecologists because the high heterogeneity and complexity of the rocky shores. By developing intertidalscape indicators and
landscape ecology concepts which can be applied or adapted to the intertidal zone,
it would be further possible to better detect early signs of perturbations, and then
this landscape approach could play a main role in the long term monitoring of the
environmental coastal quality in the future. Actually, to be robust and to avoid broad
interpretation errors because perturbations step in different spatial scales from the
global to the local, ecological surveys should be realized at regional scales. Early signal detection given by the intertidalscape indices should be able to activate specific
scientific studies to better understand processes and, by helping management and
conservation, should be able to prevent strong degradations of the ecosystem quality.
Acknowledgments We thank F. Delisle, J. Allain, A. Sturbois and A. Ponsero from the VivArmor
Nature Association and the Natural Reserve of the Saint-Brieuc Bay for assisting us on the field
and for photos.
References
Bellan G, Bellan-Santini D (1972) Influence de la pollution sur les peuplements marins de la région
de Marseille. In: Ruivo M (ed) Marine pollution and sea life. Fishing News Ltd. Survey, pp
396–401