1. Investigation into the effects of high versus low wave exposure on species diversity and community structure in the rocky intertidal coast of the Passamaquoddy Bay
BIOL-3361
Emily Byrne, Quentin Heffell, Kevin Isherwood, Leah McCredie, Jonathan O’Keefe

2. Introduction
What are wave exposed coastlines?

3. Introduction Impact of wave exposure on species size
Age as a function of wave exposure
Wave exposure and competition

4. Kelp forest macrofauna
Kjeil Magnus Noderhaug et al. 2012
Disturbance from wave surge is important for faunal diversity and community structure.

5. Balentine Scale

6. Hypothesis
Areas of low wave exposure, species richness and diversity will suffer relative to high wave exposure sites
Related to reduction in competition as a result of increased mechanical stress

7. Passamaquoddy Bay

8. Indian Point

9. Green’s Point
Low wave exposure site
High wave exposure site

10. Methods Sampling of 10 quadrats along a line transect
Species counts recorded
Unknown species collected for identification

11. Data Analysis Data from across quadrats were pooled Indian Point
Marine Gastropods
Cirripedia
Statistical tests
Simpson’s Diversity Index
Shannon- Weiner Diversity Index
T-test
Sorrenson’s Similarity Index

12. Results
37 species identified
11 found at all 4 sub-sites

13. Results

14. Indian Point
19 species identified

15. Green Point
29 species identified

16. Discussion
Sub sites are not statistically different in terms of diversity at both locations
Results consistent with Balantine scale
Sampling error
Future investigations?
Reiterate hypothesis: assumed that due to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis higher species diversity would be found in areas of higher wave exposure when compared to low wave exposure as monocultures of overbearing species could not be established
HAS BEEN FOUND BEFORE :(Gibbons, 1988). It was found that Gelidium populations occupying exposed shores were flushed away easier than those in sheltered habitats. Water turbulence and the battering effects of wave action are contributors to species mortality, lowering richness in exposed areas (Vadas et al., 1990).
Results, however, did not support this hypothesis in that no statistically significant differences were noted between the sub-sites
Community structure was, however, in accordance with previous literature
- Ascophyllum found more abundantly in low wave exposed sites
- Cirripedia found more abundantly in exposed sites (algal turn not established)
- Littorena obtusa, Littorena littoria, and Balanous balanous, were all found to be more abundant in low wave exposed sites, also consistent with Balletine’s results
Error:
- taxonomic classification (better knowledge would have allowed for the individual classification of barnacles and marine gastropods initially)
- statistical analysis
- sampling process (transects and quadrats may not be an accurate representation of species diversity in the sites)
Future Investigations:
- Effects of seasonality on species diversity and richness
- Entirely possible that some species may only occupy the Pass. Bay during certain times of the year, of that species present may be in different abundances based on their individual breeding/life cycles
- Having prior knowledge of this would have potentially explained the abundances of the species sampled
- Would be interesting to sample in the same locations throughout the year to examine the effects of seasonal environmental variation
- Exclusion cages of various grating sizes to examine establishment, competition, and successional patterns (destroy area and then examine how it is repopulated in areas of high wave exposure vs. low wave exposure)

17. Questions?