An alle DSB- Interessierten

Hallo

In Nature ist ein interessanter Artikel erschienen, in dem eine Erhöhung der Diversität im Sediment durch wühlende Organismen untersucht wurde. Leider ist der Text nicht frei zugänglich, am besten mal Leute aus der Uni fragen oder in eine Unibibliothek gehen. Ich kann leider nur das Zitat und den Abstract hier einstellen, alles andere ist nicht erlaaubt.

Grüße

Jens

Nature \ 431, 1092 - 1095 (28 October 2004);

Bioturbators enhance ecosystem function through complex biogeochemical interactions

ANDREW M. LOHRER, SIMON F. THRUSH & MAX M. GIBBS

Predicting the consequences of species loss is critically important, given present threats to biological diversity such as habitat destruction, overharvesting and climate change. Several empirical studies have reported decreased ecosystem performance (for example, primary productivity) coincident with decreased biodiversity, although the relative influence of biotic effects and confounding abiotic factors has been vigorously debated. Whereas several investigations focused on single trophic levels (for example, grassland plants), studies of whole systems have revealed multiple layers of feedbacks, hidden drivers and emergent properties, making the consequences of species loss more difficult to predict. Here we report functionally important organisms and considerable biocomplexity in a sedimentary seafloor habitat, one of Earth's most widespread ecosystems. Experimental field measurements demonstrate how the abundance of spatangoid urchins—infaunal (in seafloor sediment) grazers / deposit feeders—is positively related to primary production, as their activities change nutrient fluxes and improve conditions for production by microphytobenthos (sedimentatry microbes and unicellular algae). Declines of spatangoid urchins after trawling are well documented, and our research linking these bioturbators to important benthic–pelagic fluxes highlights potential ramifications for productivity in coastal oceans.

Copyright by Nature