Beta-diversity on deep-sea wood falls reflects gradients in energy availability

Wood falls on the deep-sea floor represent a significant source of energy into the food-limited deep sea. Unique communities of primarily wood- and sulfide-obligate species form on these wood falls. However, little is known regarding patterns and drivers of variation in the composition of wood fall...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology letters (2005) 2014-04, Vol.10 (4), p.20140129-20140129
Main Authors: McClain, Craig, Barry, James
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic Organisms - physiology
Assembly
Beta Diversity
Community
Conservation of Natural Resources
Deep Sea
Ecosystem
Energy
Food Chain
Marine Biology
Oceans and Seas
Recruitment
Wood
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Summary:Wood falls on the deep-sea floor represent a significant source of energy into the food-limited deep sea. Unique communities of primarily wood- and sulfide-obligate species form on these wood falls. However, little is known regarding patterns and drivers of variation in the composition of wood fall communities through space and time, and thus, how wood falls contribute to deep-sea biodiversity. Eighteen Acacia logs varying in size were placed and retrieved after five years at a 3200 m site in the Pacific Ocean. We found that the taxonomic composition and structure of deep-sea wood fall communities varied considerably and equated with considerable differences in energy usage and availability. Our findings suggest that natural variability in wood falls may contribute significantly to deep-sea diversity.
ISSN:1744-9561
1744-957X
DOI:10.1098/rsbl.2014.0129