Structural Complexity and Intertidal Organisms: A Quick Thought
Recent advances in science and comparative methods have allowed deeper evaluation and investigation of different measures in structural complexity, notably among intertidal organisms and systems. Previous studies have identified positive correlation between density and resource availability (Mackay and Underwood 1977). In these experiments data was used and collated among various group across the location of interest focused on ascertaining the relations between the small- and large-scale rugosity and multiscale measures amongst Cellana and Nerita, both prominent molluscs, by utilising random quadrats, estimations of surface complexity and computational data analysis. The study was able to find positive correlation between rugosity and increase in density. The amount of each species in the study increases as rugosity increases. Furthermore, small-scale rugosity has been found to be more accurate in this study. Finally, there is possible connection between rugosity as a predictor of size, and different species appear to respond to increases I rugosity differently. Unfortunately, there are so many confounding factors (such as one species possibly just outcompeting another) to definitively draw this conclusion but this would be an interesting area of study in future.
References
- Mackay DA, Underwood AJ. 1977. Experimental studies on homing in intertidal Patellid limpet Cellana- tramoserica (Sowerby). Oecologia 30: 215- 237.
