Local‐ and regional‐scale effects of wave exposure, thermal stress, and absolute versus effective shore level on patterns of intertidal zonation

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.2003.48.4.1498
• Publication Date: 2010-07-01T17:59:46Z
• Authors: Christopher D. G....; Brian S. T. Helmuth
• Keywords: Rocky shore; Intertidal ecology; Temporal scales

Rocky intertidal ecosystems are characterized by marked zonation patterns in which species replace one another along the vertical gradient of emersion time. Yet, we still do not fully understand reasons that variable space and Here, use effective shore level (ESL), a metric incorporates modifying influence wave splash, to describe relationship between uninterrupted time two ecologically important species: mussel Mytilus californianus barnacle Balanus glandula . At local scale (10s 100s meters) on Tatoosh Island, upper limits both closely related ESL, regardless substrate aspect or maximum temperature. larger spatial scales kilometers), limit is ESL at cool sites but hotter sites. Thus, although explains most local‐scale variation site, other factors (temperature, desiccation) likely become as increases incorporate warmer Our results emphasize an understanding where when specific ecological limiting crucial for our ability explain predict large‐scale biological