Citation: Delany, J., Myers, A.A. & McGrath, D. 1996 The effects of disturbances on algal communities in mid-shore tidepools. In P.S. Giller & A.A. Myers (eds), , pp. 33-46. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin
Number of Pages: 14
Series Title: Disturbance and recovery in ecological systems
Keywords: Alga, Checklist, Fauna, Flora, Littoral, Marine, Mollusca, Monitoring, Rockpool, Seaweed
Abstract: Paper discusses an experimental study to observe the effects of disturbances on algal communities in mid-shore tidepools at Portnakilly, on the south facing shore of Clare Island, Co. Mayo. A series of experimental pools in the mid-shore region were cleared of all limpets, Patella ulyssiponensis and Patella vulgata on a monthly basis for nearly two years. At the beginning of the second year a second series of pools were cleared totally of all biota and the pool base blowtorched to ensure the elimination of the crustose coralline algae. These were then restocked with adult limpets. Both sets of pools were compared to unmanipulated pools on a monthly basis, and the changes in the algal communities recorded. The study found that the 'disturbed' pools developed greater algal abundance and altered species composition, characterised initially by blooms of microalgae and the green macro alga Enteromorpha.