Theme 1A: Ecological patterns and processes on intertidal and subtidal rocky habitats
Programme 1: Ecology in coastal habitats
Theme 1A: Ecological patterns and processes on intertidal and subtidal rocky habitats
The assemblages of species on rocky shores and subtidal surfaces have long been important for developing methods and theories in general ecology. The animals and plants are very diverse, but many of them are abundant, relatively small and not too long-lived (on average) so that they allow direct experimental tests of predictions derived from ecological models and theories.
The Centre has a long-standing international reputation for excellence in the logical structure, experimental design and statistical analysis of tests of ecological theories in coastal rocky habitats. Current research is on processes maintaining local biodiversity and responses to natural and human disturbances. Much emphasis is on the complex interactions among species that sustain local diversity and how these vary in space and time as numbers and types of animals and plants vary.
The Centre has many and diverse research projects on intertidal and subtidal rocky shores. These have generated many scientific papers and theses. We have therefore grouped these projects into some informal topics, to make it easier to find results of our work that may be of specific interest to you.
These are:
Can diverse habitats cope with disturbance better than monospecific habitats?
Connecting ecological processes controlling variation across spatial scales
Consequences of different capacities for dispersal in marine invertebrates - Ph.D. Project
Distribution of microgastropod species in different intertidal habitats
Ecological consequences of global warming: predicting effects on biodiversity on intertidal assemblages on the east coast of Australia
Ecology of animals living in intertidal boulder-fields
Effects of habitat structure and complexity on Turbo spp. in intertidal and subtidal regions - Ph.D. Project
Effects of structure of habitat on diversity of benthic assemblages - Ph.D. Project
Identifying and creating essential habitat for rare australian intertidal molluscs
Influence of learned behaviours on predation
Marine tritrophic interactions: a Sydney Harbour study - Ph.D. Project
Quantitative and experimental ecology of coastal algae
Quantitative and experimental study of biodiversity on intertidal shores near and away from urban environments
The distribution of small and large Cellana tramoserica on rocky shores - Honours Project
The ecology of hydroids on different substrata - Ph.D. Project
Variations in numbers of animals in time and space
For further information, see the following publications
Airoldi, L. (2003). Effects of patch shape in intertidal algal mosaics: roles of area, perimeter and distance from edge. Marine Biology , Vol. 143, pp. 639-650.
Anderson, M.J. (1999). Distinguishing direct from indirect effects of grazers in intertidal estuarine assemblages. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 234, pp. 199-218.
Anderson, M.J. (1998). Effects of patch size on colonization in estuaries: revisiting the species-area relationship. Oecologia , Vol. 118, pp. 87-98.
Anderson, M.J. & S.D. Connell (1999). Predation by fish on intertidal oysters. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 187, pp. 203-211.
Anderson, M.J. & A.J. Underwood (1997). Effects of gastropod grazers on recruitment and succession of an estuarine assemblage: a multivariate and univariate approach. Oecologia , Vol. 109, pp. 442-453.
Archambault, P., K. Banwell & A.J. Underwood (2001). Temporal variation in the structure of intertidal assemblages following the removal of sewage. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 222, pp. 51-62.
Bakopanos, J. (2000). Examining the success of mitigation in intertidal boulder fields. B.Sc. Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Barros, F. (2005). Evaluating the importance of predation on subtidal benthic assemblages in sandy habitats around rocky reefs. Acta Oecologica , Vol. 27, pp. 211-223.
Bayne, B.L. (2004). Comparisons of measurements of clearance rates in bivalve molluscs. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 276, pp. 305-306.
Beck, M.W. (2000). Separating the elements of habitat structure: independent effects of habitat complexity and structural components on rocky intertidal gastropods. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 249, pp. 29-49.
Beck, M.W. (1998). Comparison of the measurement and effects of habitat structure on gastropods in rocky intertidal and mangrove habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 169, pp. 165-178.
Blockley, D. J., V. J. Cole, J. People & M. G. Palomo (2007). Effects of short-term rain events on mobile macrofauna living on seawalls. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Vol. 87, pp. 1069-1074.
Blount, C. (2004). Density-dependent aspects of the ecology of the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii . Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Brillant, S. (2007). Differences between size-classes: Morula marginalba as a model. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Bulleri, F. (2005). Experimental evaluation of early patterns of colonisation of space on rocky shores and seawalls. Marine Environmental Research , Vol. 60, pp. 355-374.
Chapman, M.G. (2005). Molluscs and echinoderms under boulders: tests of generality of patterns of occurrence. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 325, pp. 65-83.
Chapman, M.G. (2003). The use of sandstone blocks to test hypotheses about colonization of intertidal boulders. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Vol. 83, pp. 415-423.
Chapman, M.G. (2002). Early colonization of shallow subtidal boulders in two habitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 275, pp. 95-116.
Chapman, M.G. (2000). A comparative study of differences among species and patches of habitat on movements of three species of intertidal gastropods. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 244, pp. 181-201.
Chapman, M.G. (2000). Poor design of behavioural experiments gets poor results: examples from intertidal habitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 250, pp. 77-95.
Chapman, M.G. (2000). Variability of foraging in highshore habitats: dealing with unpredictability. Hydrobiologia , Vol. 246, pp. 75-87.
Chapman, M.G. (1999). Assessment of variability in responses of intertidal periwinkles to experimental transplantations. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 236, pp. 171-190.
Chapman, M.G. (1997). Relationships between shell shape, water reserves, survival and growth of highshore littorinids under experimental conditions in New South Wales, Australia. Journal of Molluscan Studies , Vol. 63, pp. 511-529.
Chapman, M.G. (1997). Scientific and community roles in intertidal conservation. In: Conservation outside nature reserves , edited by P. Hale & D. Lamb, Centre for Conservation Biology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, pp. 249-254.
Chapman, M.G. & A.J. Underwood (1998). Inconsistency and variation in the development of rocky intertidal algal assemblages. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 224, pp. 265-289.
Cocco, G. (2005). Influence of history of diet on foraging behaviour of the predatory whelk Morula marginalba Blainville (Muricidae). B.Sc. Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Cole, V. J. (2006). The ecology of polychaetes in biogenic habitats on intertidal rocky shores. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Cole, V. J. & M. G. Chapman (2007). Patterns of distribution of annelids: taxonomic and spatial inconsistencies between two biogeographic provinces and across multiple spatial scales. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 346, pp. 235-241.
Cole, V. J., M. G. Chapman & A. J. Underwood (2007). Landscape and life-histories influence colonisation of polychaetes to intertidal biogenic habitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 348, pp. 191-199.
Coleman, M.A. (2003). The role of recruitment in structuring patterns of small-scale spatial variability in intertidal and subtidal algal turfs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 291, pp. 131-145.
Coleman, R.A., A.J. Underwood , L. Benedetti-Cecchi, P. Aberg, Arenas F., J. Arrontes, J. Castro, R.G. Hartnoll, S. Jenkins, J. Paula, P. Della Santina & J. Hawkins (2006). A continental scale evaluation of the role of limpet grazing on rocky shores. Oecologia , Vol. 147, pp. 556-564.
Coleman, R.A., A.J. Underwood & M.G. Chapman (2004). Absence of costs of foraging excursions in relation to limpet aggregation. Journal of Animal Ecology , Vol. 73, pp. 577-584.
Connell, S.D. (2000). Encounter rates of a juvenile reef fish with small and predatory fishes. Copeia 2000 , Vol. 1, pp. 36-41.
Connell, S.D. & M.J. Anderson (1999). Predation by fish on assemblages of intertidal epibiota: effects of predator size and patch size. Journal of Experimental Marine Bology and Ecology , Vol. 241, pp. 15-29.
Corona Mothe, A. (2007). Interactions between amphipods and algal habitats on intertidal rocky shores. PhD thesis, University of Sydney.
Crowe, T.P. (1999). Limits to generality: seasonal and temporal variation in dispersal of an intertidal gastropod. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 232, pp. 177-196.
Crowe, T.P. & A.J. Underwood (1998). Testing behavioural 'preference' for suitable microhabitat. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 225, pp. 1-Nov.
Cruz Motta, J.J. (2005). Benthic ecology in sediments associated with boulder-fields. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Cruz-Motta, J.J. (2005). Diel and tidal variations of benthic assemblages in sediments associated with boulder fields. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 290, pp. 97-107.
Cummins, S.P. (2005). Behaviour of the snail, Batillaria australis , in meadows of seagrass. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Curthoys, N. (2002). Do starfish on NSW rocky coasts get together to spawn? Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Dahl-Tacconi, N. (1997). Influences of Corallina on diversity and distribution of local assemblages on rocky shores of NSW. Grad. Dip. (Marine Science) thesis, University of Sydney.
Davies, T. (1997). A novel application of species-area relationships to State of the Environment Reporting. Grad. Dip. (Environmental Science) thesis, University of Sydney.
Forrest, R. (1998). Quantification of radular scratches on wax as a method for measuring grazing of Australian intertidal gastropods. Talented Student Project thesis, University of Sydney.
Forrest, R.E., M.G. Chapman & A.J. Underwood (2001). Quantification of radular marks as a method for estimating grazing of intertidal gastropods on rocky shores. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 258, pp. 155-171.
Glasby, T.M. & M.J. Kingsford (1999). Planktivorous fishes. In: Under southern seas: the ecology of Australia's rocky reefs , edited by N.L. Andrew, University of New South Wales Press, Sydney, pp. 210-217.
Grayson, J.E. & M.G. Chapman (2004). Patterns of distribution and abundance of chitons of the genus Ischnochiton in intertidal boulder-fields. Austral Ecology , Vol. 29(4), pp. 363-373.
Green, W. (2001).Some aspects of the ecology of sea anemones on intertidal rocky shores. B.Sc. Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Harris, M. (1999). The ecology of ophiuroides on rocky shores around Sydney. B.Sc. Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Hunt, J.E.G. (2000). The assessment of surrogates for the assemblages of fauna associated with intertidal algal beds. B.Sc. Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Jackson, A. C. & A. J. Underwood (2007). Application of new techniques for the accurate analysis of choice of prey. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 341, pp. 1-9.
Jeffery, C.J. (2003). Determination of abundance and distribution of an intertidal barnacle: settlement or post-settlement mortality? Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 246, pp. 291-305.
Jeffery, C.J. (2002). New settlers and recruits do not enhance settlement of a gregarious intertidal barnacle in New South Wales. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 275, pp. 131-146.
Jeffery, C.J. (2000). Settlement in different-sized patches by the gregarious intertidal barnacle Chamaesipho tasmanica Foster and Anderson in New South Wales. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 252, pp. 15-26.
Jeffery, C.J. (1997). The ecology of the rocky shore intertidal barnacle Chamaesipho tasmanica in New South Wales. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Jeffery, C.J. & A.J. Underwood (2001). Longevity determines sizes of an adult intertidal barnacle. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 256, pp. 85-97.
Jeffery, C.J. & A.J. Underwood (2000). Consistent spatial patterns of arrival of larvae of the honeycomb barnacle Chamaesipho tasmanica Foster and Anderson in New South Wales. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 252, pp. 109-127.
Kelaher, B. (2005). Does colonisation contribute to spatial patterns of common invertebrates in coralline algal turf? Austral Ecology , Vol. 30, pp. 40-48.
Kelaher, B.P. (2003). Changes in habitat complexity negatively affect diverse gastropod assemblages in coralline algal turf. Oecologia , Vol. 135, pp. 431-441.
Kelaher, B.P. (2003). Effects of frond length on diverse gastropod assemblages in coralline turf. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Vol. 83, pp. 159-163.
Kelaher, B.P. (2000). Biodiversity of macrofaunal assemblages in coralline algal turf. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Kelaher, B.P. (2002). Influence of physical characteristics of coralline turf on associated macrofaunal assemblages. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 232, pp. 141-148.
Kelaher, B.P., J.C. Castilla & R. Seed (2004). Intercontinental test for generality of spatial patterns among diverse molluscan assemblages in coralline algal turf. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 271, pp. 221-231.
Kelaher, B.P., M.G. Chapman & A.J. Underwood (1998). Changes in benthic assemblages near boardwalks in temperate urban mangrove forests. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 228, pp. 291-307.
Kelaher, B.P., M.G. Chapman & A.J. Underwood (2001). Spatial patterns of diverse macrofaunal assemblages in coralline turf and their associations with environmental variables. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Vol. 81, pp. 917-930.
Kelaher, B.P. & V.J. Cole (2005). Variation in abundance and size-structure of populations of the small chiton, Acanthochitona retrojecta . Journal of Molluscan Studies , Vol. 71, pp. 145-151.
Kelaher, B.P. & J.L. Lowry (2002). A new species of Elasmopus from Australia and its variation in density with respect to physical architecture of coralline algal turf. Journal of Crustacean Biology , Vol. 22, pp. 861-873.
Kelaher, B.P. & G.W. Rouse (2003). The role of colonization in determining spatial patterns of Proscoloplos bondi sp. nov. (Orbiniidae, Annelida) in coralline algal turf. Marine Biology , Vol. 143, pp. 909-918.
Kelaher, B.P., A.J. Underwood & M.G. Chapman (2003). Experimental transplantations of coralline algal turf to demonstrate causes of differences in macrofauna at different tidal heights. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 282, pp. 23-41.
Kelaher, B.P., A.J. Underwood & M.G. Chapman (1998). Effects of boardwalks on the semaphore crab Heloecius cordiformis in temperate urban mangrove forests. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 227, pp. 281-300.
Knott, N. (2001). Epibiota on natural reefs and artificial structures. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Matias, M. G., A. J. Underwood & R. A. Coleman (2007). Interactions of components of habitats alter composition and variability of assemblages. Journal of Animal Ecology , Vol. 76, pp. 986–994.
Minchinton, T.E. (1997). Life on the edge: conspecific attraction and recruitment of populations to disturbed habitats. Oecologia , Vol. 111, pp. 45-52.
Monteiro, S.M. (2002). Effects of harvesting on assemblages associated with the ascidian Pyura stolonifera (Heller, 1878). Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Monteiro, S.M., M.G. Chapman & A.J. Underwood (2002). Erratum to "Patches of the ascidian Pyura stolonifera (Heller, 1878): structure of habitat and associated intertidal assemblages". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 275, pp. 83-85.
Monteiro, S.M., M.G. Chapman & A.J. Underwood (2002). Patches of the ascidian Pyura stolonifera (Heller, 1878): structure of habitat and associated intertidal assemblages. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 270, pp. 171-189.
Morcom, N.F. , W.J. Woelkerling & S.A. Ward (2005). Epiphytic nongeniculate corallines found on Laurencia filiformis f. heteroclada (Rhodomelceae, Ceramiales). Phycologia , Vol. 44, pp. 202-211.
O'Donnell, K.J. (1999). Potential effects of a rise in sea-level on the biodiversity on intertidal rocky shores. B.Sc. Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Palmer, A. (2003). Complex patterns of sizes of eggs in adjacent populations of the limpet Cellana tramoserica . Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Palomo, G., J. People, A. J. Underwood & M. G. Chapman (2007). Separating the effects of physical and biological aspects of mussel-beds on their associated assemblages. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 344, pp. 131-142.
People, J. (2003). The ecology of organisms associated with mussel beds on artificial structures. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Roberts, D. E., S. P. Cummins , A. R. Davis & M. G. Chapman (2006). Structure and dynamics of sponge-dominated assemblages on exposed and sheltered temperate reefs. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 321, pp. 19-30.
Roberts, D.E. , A.R. Davis & S.P. Cummins (2006). Experimental manipulation of shade, silt, nutrients and salinity on the temperate reef sponge Cymbastela concentrica . Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 307, pp. 143-154.
Saito, H., H. Imbayashi, K. Kawai & V. Cole (2004). Time and energetic costs of feeding on different sized prey by the predatory polychaete Halla okudai (Imajima). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 311, pp. 223-232.
Schreider, M. (1998). Ecology of epifaunal crustaceans on intertidal algae. Ph.D. thesis, University of Sydney.
Schreider, M.J., T.M. Glasby & A.J. Underwood (2003). Effects of height on the shore and complexity of habitat on abundances of amphipods on rocky shores in New South Wales, Australia. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology ,Vol. 293, pp. 57-71.
Smoothey, A. (2003). Intertidal boulder-fields as habitats for the sea urchin, Heliocidaris erythrogramma . Honours thesis, University of Sydney.
Smoothey, A. F. & M. G. Chapman (2007). Small-scale variability in the dispersion of the sea urchin, Heliocidaris erythrogramma among boulders. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 340, pp. 89-99.
Styan, C.A., M. Byrne & E. Franke (2005). Evolution of egg size and fertilisation efficiency in sea stars; large eggs are not fertilised more readily than small eggs in the genus Patiriella (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Marine Biology , Vol. 147, pp. 235-242.
Teufel, C.L. (2005). Sampling marine biodiveristy: a critical review of rapid assessment methodologies. M. Quant. Mar. Ecol. thesis, University of Sydney.
Underwood, A. J. (2007). Ecology of marine macro-algae. In: Algae of Australia. Volume 1 , edited by A. George, Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra, pp. 374-404.
Underwood, A.J. (2006). Why overgrowth of intertidal encrusting algae does not always cause competitive exclusion. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 330, pp. 448-454.
Underwood, A.J. (2004). Landing on one's foot: small-scale topographic features of habitat and the dispersion of juvenile intertidal gastropods. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 268, pp. 173-182.
Underwood, A.J. (2000). Experimental ecology of rocky intertidal habitats: what are we learning? Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 250, pp. 51-76.
Underwood, A.J. (1999). Physical disturbances and their direct effect on an indirect effect: responses of an intertidal assemblage to a severe storm. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 232, pp. 125-140.
Underwood, A.J. (1998). Grazing and disturbance: an experimental analysis of patchiness in recovery from a severe storm by the intertidal alga Hormosira banksii on rocky shores in New South Wales. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 231, pp. 291-306.
Underwood, A.J. (1998). Molluscs on rocky shores. In: Mollusca: the southern synthesis. Fauna of Australia Vol. 5 Part A , edited by P.L. Beesley, J.G.B. Ross & A. Wells, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, pp. 29-32.
Underwood, A.J. & M.G. Chapman (2001). Intertidal ecosystems . In: The encyclopedia of biodiversity, Volume 3 , edited by S.A. Levin, Academic Press , San Diego, pp. 485-500.
Underwood, A. J. & M. G. Chapman (2006). Early development of subtidal macrofaunal assemblages: relationships to period and timing of colonization. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 330, pp. 221-233.
Underwood, A.J. & M.G. Chapman (2000). Variation in abundances of intertidal populations: consequences of extremities of environment. Hydrobiologia , Vol. 426, pp. 25-36.
Underwood, A.J. & M.G. Chapman (1998). Variation in algal assemblages on wave-exposed rocky shores in New South Wales. Marine and Freshwater Research , Vol. 49, pp. 241-254.
Underwood, A.J., M.G. Chapman & T. Crowe (2004). Identifying and understanding ecological preferences for habitat or prey. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 300, pp. 161-187.
Underwood, A. J. & K. R. Clarke (2006). Response on a proposed method for analysing experiments on food choice. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 335, pp. 151-153.
Underwood, A.J. & K.R. Clarke (2005). Solving some statistical problems in analyses of experiments on choices of food and on associations with habitat. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 318, pp. 227-237.
Underwood, A.J. & M.J. Keough (2001). Supply-side ecology: the nature and consequences of variations in recruitment of intertidal organisms . In: Marine community ecology , edited by M.D. Bertness, S.D. Gaines & M.E. Hay, Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Maine, pp. 183-200.
Underwood, A. J. & K. R. Clarke (2007). More response on a proposed method for analysing experiments on food choice. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology , Vol. 344, pp. 113-115.
Underwood, A. J. & R. J. Murphy (2008). Unexpected patterns in facilitatory grazing of intertidal microalgae revealed by novel quantitative imaging. Marine Ecology Progress Series , Vol. 358, pp. 85-94
Waung, I.-H. (2007). Effect of patch-size and habitat-edges on intertidal distributions of microgastropods. Ph.D thesis, University of Sydney.
Wernberg, T., M.A. Coleman , A. Fairhead, S. Miller & M. Thomsen (2004). Morphology of Ecklonia radiata (Phaeophyta: Laminarales)along its geographic distribution in Southwestern Australia and Australasia. Marine Biology , Vol. 143, pp. 47-55.
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