Download Effects of fragmentation in the bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus

Effects of fragmentation in the bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) zone
to the invertebrate communities
Elina Salo
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki
Brown algae communities dominate the sublittoral hard bottoms of the Baltic Sea. Bladder wrack
(Fucus vesiculosus L.) is considered as one of the key species in the Baltic Sea. Due to
eutrophication it has decreased during the 20'th century and filamentous algae have generally
colonized the sites replacing F. vesiculosus. Many invertebrates find shelter among the thallus of
F. vesiculosus and constitute an important source of nourishment for animals higher up in the
sublittoral food chain. The decline of F. vesiculosus induce environmental changes that may alter
the ecosystem and the sublittoral hard bottom communities of the Baltic Sea. Worldwide habitat
fragmentation is a major reason for a loss of species. The aim of the study was to clarify the effects
of the fragmentation of the bladder wrack (F. vesiculosus) on the faunal community. No
differences in animal abundance or number of invertebrate species were observed between sites
with continuous bladder wrack belts and sites with fragmented belts. However there were
differences in the appearance of individual species.