Integrating Ecosystem Engineering and Food Web Ecology: Testing the Effect of Biogenic Reefs on the Food Web of a Soft-Bottom Intertidal Area

摘要: The potential of ecosystem engineers to modify the structure and dynamics food webs has recently been hypothesised from a conceptual point view. Empirical data on integration is however largely lacking. This paper investigates link based field sampling approach intertidal biogenic aggregations created by engineer Lanice conchilega (Polychaeta, Terebellidae). are known have considerable impact physical biogeochemical characteristics their environment subsequently abundance biomass primary sources macrofaunal (i.e. macro-, hyper- epibenthos) community. Therefore, we hypothesise that L. affect structure, stability isotopic niche consumer assemblage soft-bottom web. Primary bentho-pelagic aggregation control area were sampled two areas along French coast analysed for stable isotopes. Despite structural impacts associated community, presence only minor effect web areas. width communities highly similar, implying taxa do not shift diet when feeding in aggregation. Besides, species packing hence trophic redundancy affected, pointing an unaltered conchilega.