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Understanding the Drivers of Biodiversity on the Rocky Coast

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Understanding the Drivers of Biodiversity on the Rocky Coast Understanding the drivers of biodiversity on the rocky coast Nina Schaefer A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Evolution and Ecology Research Centre School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science Faculty of Science University of New South Wales October 2018 Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname/Family Name : Schaefer Given Name/s : Nina Abbreviation for degree as give in the : PhD University calendar Faculty : Science School : Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences Thesis Title : Understanding the drivers of biodiversity on the rocky coast Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Urbanisation and climate change are pervasive stressors to natural ecosystems and have been linked to decreased biodiversity and ecological function. At the coastal fringe, intertidal rocky shores are threatened by urbanisation along shorelines and sea level rise, with the result that complex intertidal habitats are becoming rare and often replaced with simpler concrete structures. Communities that remain also experience altered light climates due to shading by engineered structures. To effectively manage and conserve urban intertidal ecosystems, we require a greater understanding of the drivers of diversity at micro- to macro scales. I begin by investigating the drivers of biodiversity on the small scale, where I was able to identify relationships between rock pool physical characteristics and associated biota around Sydney Harbour. Maximum width and depth, volume and height on shore were important drivers of biodiversity, but effects varied among organisms (i.e. sessile vs. mobile taxa) and between inner and outer locations of the lower estuary. I also found that the structure within rock pools can influence species abundances. Microhabitats such as overhangs were important to support grazers and rare species. I then investigated the effect of another potential driver of biodiversity common in urban intertidal areas: shading by engineered structures. Using a manipulative experiment, I found that the effect of varying levels of shading can influence taxa in different ways. Whereas high light intensities promoted greater algal cover, low light intensities supported higher abundances of mobile taxa. Finally, I worked at a larger scale and used predictive modelling to assess potential habitat loss of intertidal rocky shores due to sea level rise. I found that rocky shore communities in the Sydney area are likely to lose substantial habitat and may be considered ‘near threatened’ (under one category of the IUCN communities listing criteria) under the predicted 11.2mm/year sea level rise (i.e. scenario RCP8.5 (IPCC)).My research highlights the need to manage intertidal rocky shores at multiple scales. While conserving natural habitat should be set as priority, management strategies that incorporate features which support diversity, as identified in this thesis, can help mitigate biodiversity loss and help protect this important ecosystem. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). …………………………………………………… ……………………………………..………… ……….……………… ……… Signature……… …… Witness Signature …… … Date… The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE Date of completion of requirements ONLY for Award: ORIGINALITY STATEMENT ‘I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.’ Signed …………………………………………….............. Date …………………………………………….............. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ‘I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date ……………………………………………........................... AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT ‘I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.’ Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date ……………………………………………........................... INCLUSION OF PUBLICATIONS STATEMENT UNSW is supportive of candidates publishing their research results during their candidature as detailed in the UNSW Thesis Examination Procedure. Publications can be used in their thesis in lieu of a Chapter if: • The student contributed greater than 50% of the content in the publication and is the “primary author”, ie. the student was responsible primarily for the planning, execution and preparation of the work for publication • The student has approval to include the publication in their thesis in lieu of a Chapter from their supervisor and Postgraduate Coordinator. • The publication is not subject to any obligations or contractual agreements with a third party that would constrain its inclusion in the thesis Please indicate whether this thesis contains published material or not. This thesis contains no publications, either published or submitted for publication (if this ☐ box is checked, you may delete all the material on page 2) Some of the work described in this thesis has been published and it has been documented in the relevant Chapters with acknowledgement (if this box is checked, you ☒ may delete all the material on page 2) This thesis has publications (either published or submitted for publication) incorporated ☐ into it in lieu of a chapter and the details are presented below CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION I declare that: • I have complied with the Thesis Examination Procedure • where I have used a publication in lieu of a Chapter, the listed publication(s) below meet(s) the requirements to be included in the thesis. Name Signature Date (dd/mm/yy) Nina Schaefer Acknowledgements I firstly would like to thank my supervisors Emma Johnston, Katherine Dafforn and Mariana Mayer-Pinto for their support throughout my candidature. Thank you for your expertise, guidance, valuable comments and patience throughout my research and the process of writing this thesis. I feel very lucky for having such an inspiring team of women behind me. I would also like to thank Graeme Clark for his statistical support and advice. Thank you for always having a spare minute and for making stats enjoyable. Thank you also to William Glamore and Kingsley Griffin for introducing me to the world of spatial modelling and giving me the chance to explore a whole new direction in my research. It’s been great fun. I would like to thank Simone Birrer, James Lavender, Damon Bolton, Brendan Lanham, Aria Lee, Sally Bracewell, Shin Ushiama, Vivian Sim, James Lavender, Sebastian Vadillo Gonzalez, Rosie Steinberg, John Turnbull, Mark Browne, Ana Bugnot, Hayden Schilling, Chris Drummond, Valentin Heimhuber, Jamie Ruprecht, Alice Harrison for helping me with fieldwork, troubleshooting stats, and for teaching me how to handle new equipment and new programs. A big thank you also to all the other past and present members of the AMEE/Poore and the Marine Ecology Lab. You’ve been absolutely fantastic and made the time spent in the office so much fun. Thank you to Alan Millar for helping me with the identification of algae. I would also like to thank
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