Habitat complexity mitigates trophic transfer on oyster reefs

• Published in: Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) Vol. 277; pp. 291 - 295
• Main Authors: Grabowski, Jonathan H., Powers, Sean P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oldendorf Inter-Research 16-08-2004
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic habitats; Biological and medical sciences; Clams; Crabs; Foraging; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Habitats; Marine; Mercenaria mercenaria; Mud; Oysters; Panopeus herbstii; Predation; Predators; Sea water ecosystems; Synecology; Wildlife habitats; ANW, USA, North Carolina; Competition; Habitat complexity; Mercenaria mercenaria; Interference competition; Oyster reefs; Marine environment; Reef; Panopeus herbstii; Bivalvia; Density dependence; Habitat; Invertebrata; Mollusca
• ISSN: 0171-8630; 1616-1599
• DOI: 10.3354/meps277291

Structured habitats within several aquatic systems have been characterized as having higher abundances of both predators and their prey. Understanding this somewhat paradoxical phenomenon requires teasing apart how habitat complexity influences predator-prey dynamics. To determine whether habitat complexity influences predator foraging efficiency, we measured predator foraging rates within structurally simple and complex habitats. We selected as our test system mud crabs feeding on juvenile hard clams within biogenic reefs formed by the eastern oyster. At low and intermediate crab densities, foraging rates of mud crabs were similar between simple and complex habitats. However, at high crab densities foraging rates were higher for crabs in the complex reefs than in the simple reefs. In addition to providing refuge to both intermediate predators and their prey, habitat complexity appears to enhance predator foraging efficiency by reducing interference competition among predators. In systems where interference competition among densely populated predators may be intense, complex habitats may not provide survival benefits to all trophic levels.