Pattern formation at multiple spatial scales drives the resilience of mussel bed ecosystems

Quan-Xing Liu, Peter M. J. Herman, Wolf M. Mooij, Jef Huisman, Marten Scheffer, Han Olff and Johan van de Koppel ()
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Quan-Xing Liu: Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Peter M. J. Herman: Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Wolf M. Mooij: Netherlands Institute of Ecology
Jef Huisman: Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam
Marten Scheffer: Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University
Han Olff: Community and Conservation Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen
Johan van de Koppel: Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Self-organized complexity at multiple spatial scales is a distinctive characteristic of biological systems. Yet, little is known about how different self-organizing processes operating at different spatial scales interact to determine ecosystem functioning. Here we show that the interplay between self-organizing processes at individual and ecosystem level is a key determinant of the functioning and resilience of mussel beds. In mussel beds, self-organization generates spatial patterns at two characteristic spatial scales: small-scale net-shaped patterns due to behavioural aggregation of individuals, and large-scale banded patterns due to the interplay of between-mussel facilitation and resource depletion. Model analysis reveals that the interaction between these behavioural and ecosystem-level mechanisms increases mussel bed resilience, enables persistence under deteriorating conditions and makes them less prone to catastrophic collapse. Our analysis highlights that interactions between different forms of self-organization at multiple spatial scales may enhance the intrinsic ability of ecosystems to withstand both natural and human-induced disturbances.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6234

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