Ja. Estes et Ch. Peterson, Marine ecological research in seashore and seafloor systems: accomplishments and future directions, MAR ECOL-PR, 195, 2000, pp. 281-289
Research in seashore and seafloor communities has contributed immensely to
the conceptual growth of ecology. Here we summarize some of the most import
ant findings and discuss needs and opportunities for future work. Dispropor
tionately large numbers of the most influential contributions are derived f
rom studies of rocky shores and coral reefs because aspects of these System
s (accessibility) and of their most common species (sessile or weakly motil
e, high density, short generation time) make them well suited to manipulati
ve experiments. Foremost among the research contributions from seashore and
seafloor systems are increased understanding of (1) competition and consum
er-prey interactions, (2) trophic cascades and other indirect species inter
actions, (3) the evolution of defense and resistance in consumer-prey syste
ms, (4) the importance of propagule transport and recruitment variation to
adult populations, (5) the impacts of physical disturbance, and (6) the gen
eration and maintenance of species diversity on ecological time scales. We
acknowledge the importance of manipulative experiments in the growth of mar
ine ecology, but question whether a strict adherence to this approach will
best serve future needs. Some of the most pressing needs for future knowled
ge are: (1) documenting the complex influences of spatial and temporal scal
es on ecological processes, (2) identifying the role of large, mobile preda
tors in marine ecosystems, (3) understanding factors limiting marine autotr
ophs, (4) integrating historical biology and neontology, and (5) appreciati
ng intersystem linkages. Increased attention to conducting arrays of experi
ments, taking measurements and observations, and documenting change at larg
er scales of space and time will provide insights that are unattainable by
the commonly used methodological protocols. Novel approaches, including (1)
evaluating and managing human disturbance for the joint purpose of conserv
ation and learning, (2) developing stronger ties between scientists working
in open-ocean and near-shore systems, and (3) developing collaborative pro
jects among scientists in the academic, governmental, and private sectors a
re required to understand many of these processes.