Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 3 of 3
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Experimental Manipulation Of Shade, Silt, Nutrients And Salinity On The Temperate Reef Sponge Cymbastela Concentrica, D. E. Roberts, A. R. Davis, S. P. Cummins
Experimental Manipulation Of Shade, Silt, Nutrients And Salinity On The Temperate Reef Sponge Cymbastela Concentrica, D. E. Roberts, A. R. Davis, S. P. Cummins
Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)
Discharge of sewage effluent into the ocean has been shown to cause changes in the structure and distribution of a range of biological assemblages, including those dominated by sponges. To date, the underlying mechanisms by which exposure to sewage alters such assemblages is unclear, although a number of potential models have been proposed. Here, a series of manipulative field experiments were done using the phototrophic spongeCymbastela concentrica. Hypotheses from the general models that increased shade, silt, nutrients or salinity gradients were tested to find a cause for observed declines in populations exposed to sewage. Changes in the variables …
Structure And Dynamics Of Sponge-Dominated Assemblages On Exposed And Sheltered Temperate Reefs, D. E. Roberts, S. P. Cummins, A. R. Davis, M. G. Chapman
Structure And Dynamics Of Sponge-Dominated Assemblages On Exposed And Sheltered Temperate Reefs, D. E. Roberts, S. P. Cummins, A. R. Davis, M. G. Chapman
Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)
There have been few studies on the structure and dynamics of sponge-dominated assemblages, despite the fact that such assemblages are vulnerable to environmental impacts from many anthropogenic disturbances. Sponges are generally slow to recruit, slow growing and long lived; hence, they may be very vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural disturbances. In order to understand how such assemblages may respond to disturbance, it is essential to measure natural patterns of spatial differences and temporal changes, so that any future impact assessments can be identified. This study quantified and contrasted patterns of abundance in sponge-dominated assemblages on deep reefs (18 to 20 …
Role Of Habitat Complexity In Structuring Temperate Rockpool Ichthyofaunas, S. P. Griffiths, A. R. Davis, R. J. West
Role Of Habitat Complexity In Structuring Temperate Rockpool Ichthyofaunas, S. P. Griffiths, A. R. Davis, R. J. West
Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)
Habitat complexity in temperate intertidal rockpools was manipulated to assess its effect on fish assemblage structure. We modified the complexity of the substratum within pools by adding or removing loose rocks. The complexity of the water column within pools was modified by the removal of macro-algae and the addition of artificial algae. We applied 5 treatments to 40 pools in 2 locations on the southeast Australian coast: addition of rocks and algae (+R+A), removal of rocks and algae (–R–A), removal of rocks but addition of algae (–R+A), addition of rocks and removal of algae (+R–A), and unmanipulated control pools (C). …