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

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 se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2014-10, Vol.5 (1), p.5234-5234, Article 5234
Main Authors: Liu, Quan-Xing, Herman, Peter M. J., Mooij, Wolf M., Huisman, Jef, Scheffer, Marten, Olff, Han, van de Koppel, Johan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/158/856
Animals
Behavior, Animal
Bivalvia - physiology
Computer Graphics
Computer Simulation
dynamics
Ecosystem
Environment
Humanities and Social Sciences
Models, Statistical
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
self-organization
Spatial Analysis
systems
trade-offs
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Summary: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. Self-organized patterns at multiple spatial scales are widespread in nature, although little is known about their effect on ecosystem functioning. Here, Liu et al. show how two self-organization processes at individual and ecosystem scale interact to increase the resilience of intertidal mussel beds.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/ncomms6234