Effects ofUlvaspp. and seasonal disturbances on the recovery of a temperate rocky intertidal community

The inhibitory effects of ulvoid algae and their seasonality on the recovery and succession of an intertidal algal community were investigated under field conditions using a two-factorial design. The experiment was conducted in the mid-low intertidal zone on the Southern coast of Korea. In spring and fall, each of the ten 50 x 50 cm plots was disturbed artificially, andUlvaspp. were continuously excluded from five plots of the seasonal plots. The succession of spring plots was nearly twice as fast as that of the fall plots (spring, 4-6 months; fall, 10-15 months), indicating that the seasonal effects contributed significantly to the speed of the succession. The inhibition byUlvaspecies delayed the succession; however, the strength of this delay was limited largely by the duration and persistence ofUlvamass, which was also highly seasonal. The presence ofUlvaspp. did not alter the final assemblage at the climax stage; instead, it caused a delay in community resilience. This study provides a few analytical factors for community-wise comparison during the evaluation of the status of successional stages.

Automated summary

This study investigated the inhibitory effects of ulvoid algae and their seasonality on the recovery and succession of an intertidal algal community. The presence of Ulva species delayed the succession, with seasonal effects significantly affecting the speed of succession.