The Importance of Propagule Dispersal in Maintaining Local Populations of Rare Algae on Complex Coastlines: Padina pavonica on the South Coast of England
Authors: Herbert, R.J.H., Willis, J. and Baugh, J.
Journal: Phycology
Volume: 1
Pages: 1-13
Publisher: MDPI
Abstract:On dynamic coastlines, populations of protected algal species with poor dispersal might be especially vulnerable to infrequent recruitment events and local extinction. As a model, we here consider the dispersal of the alga Padina pavonica from the largest remaining and physically isolated enclaves on the south coast of England. A bio-physical model was used to investigate the likely importance of local propagule dispersal in maintaining populations. Dispersal kernels that simulate the position of propagules at different time steps over 5 days were examined from five release sites.
Exceptionally steep declines in model propagule density were observed over the first few hours from release, yet over the first day, 75–85% of model propagules remained close to their source but had not reached other enclaves. After five days, the dispersal from source populations ranged from 0 to 50 km, with only ~5% remaining within the source 1 km2 area. Although distances of modelled propagule dispersal might be adequate for maintaining a regional population network, vegetative perrenation also appears to be important for persistence of P. pavonica. For rare and protected species on isolated and energetic coastlines, local conservation efforts, rather than a reliance on a wider meta-population network, remain very important to ensure long-term protection and survival.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35695/
Source: Manual
The Importance of Propagule Dispersal in Maintaining Local Populations of Rare Algae on Complex Coastlines: Padina pavonica on the South Coast of England
Authors: Herbert, R.J.H., Willis, J. and Baugh, J.
Journal: Phycology
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-13
ISSN: 2673-9410
Abstract:On dynamic coastlines, populations of protected algal species with poor dispersal might be especially vulnerable to infrequent recruitment events and local extinction. As a model, we here consider the dispersal of the alga Padina pavonica from the largest remaining and physically isolated enclaves on the south coast of England. A bio-physical model was used to investigate the likely importance of local propagule dispersal in maintaining populations. Dispersal kernels that simulate the position of propagules at different time steps over 5 days were examined from five release sites. Exceptionally steep declines in model propagule density were observed over the first few hours from release, yet over the first day, 75–85% of model propagules remained close to their source but had not reached other enclaves. After five days, the dispersal from source populations ranged from 0 to 50 km, with only ~5% remaining within the source 1 km2 area. Although distances of modelled propagule dispersal might be adequate for maintaining a regional population network, vegetative perrenation also appears to be important for persistence of P. pavonica. For rare and protected species on isolated and energetic coastlines, local conservation efforts, rather than a reliance on a wider meta-population network, remain very important to ensure long-term protection and survival.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35695/
Source: BURO EPrints