Intertidal assemblages across boulders and rocky platforms: a multi-scaled approach in a subtropical island

摘要: Rocky intertidal communities have proved to be tractable systems for experimental ecology, contributing much our general understanding of population and community ecology. Physical environmental factors are usually considered strong structuring elements these assemblages. In this study, we adopted a mixed model sampling design study the effects substratum type shore orientation (i.e. different wave exposure) on assemblages Madeira Island (NE Atlantic) across time. We included both macrofauna macroalgae compare their abundance distribution in boulders rocky platforms north south coasts island. Generally, moderately differed between whereas had little influence most taxa. A high variability was observed range spatial temporal scales, suggesting that interactions physical variables biological parameters may influencing organisms. The results obtained provide pioneer quantitative data Madeira.