Succession and Seasonal Progression in the Fouling Community at Beaufort, North Carolina,
Abstract
Community development (succession) and seasonal changes in species abundance (seasonal progression) were followed on undisturbed substrate at Beaufort, N.C. Substrate was made available at different times of the year to determine the effect of differences in colonizing species composition on these two processes. Organisms were collected on ceramic tile plates suspended on a rack approximately 0.3 m below the low tide mark. Those sessile organisms which settled on the lower surface of these plates and were the major competitors for space, constitited the assemblage of organisms studied. Submergence time had a dramatic effect on colonizing species composition. Plates which were submerged monthly during May-November 1971 were colonized by different species and showed different patterns of initial community development. There was also considerable year to year variation in initial development. However, seasonal progression on undisturbed plates was generally less dramatic than seasonal changes in colonizing species composition. Thus the two processes do not appear to directly related. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0784522
Entities
People
- John P. Sutherland
- Ronald H. Karlson
Organizations
- Duke University