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Comparisons of Ecosystem Dynamics Before and After Invasion Reveal Consequences of Invasive Species in Benthic Marine Communities

Kempf, Hannah Lowe
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1198-0177
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1524830000208304

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Miami University, Geology and Environmental Earth Science.
Invasions by non-native species are a leading cause of extinction in modern ecosystems, yet their effects on ecosystem structure and functioning remain poorly understood. A thorough understanding of how communities respond to extreme structural changes is essential to manage and restore ecosystems effectively. Therefore, to evaluate the long-term effects of biotic invasions, models of Late Ordovician marine paleo-food webs were compared before and after the Richmondian Invasion (Cincinnati Arch, USA) using Cascading Extinction on Graphs. Structural properties remained relatively similar before and after invasion, despite high species turnover resulting in the loss of functional richness. However, the invasion may have resulted in a less stable and resistant paleocommunity, which is consistent with the hypothesis that compartmentalization and detritivore pathways may promote stability in benthic marine communities. These results have important consequences for conservation and management efforts, which typically focus on preservation of biodiversity, suggesting that functional richness may play a more critical role in ecosystem stability and persistence.
Carrie Tyler (Advisor)
Roopnarine Peter (Committee Member)
McLeod Claire (Committee Member)
Dong Hailiang (Committee Member)
28 p.
Paleoecology; Paleontology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kempf, H. L. (2018). Comparisons of Ecosystem Dynamics Before and After Invasion Reveal Consequences of Invasive Species in Benthic Marine Communities [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1524830000208304

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kempf, Hannah. Comparisons of Ecosystem Dynamics Before and After Invasion Reveal Consequences of Invasive Species in Benthic Marine Communities. 2018. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1524830000208304.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kempf, Hannah. "Comparisons of Ecosystem Dynamics Before and After Invasion Reveal Consequences of Invasive Species in Benthic Marine Communities." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1524830000208304

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1524830000208304
108
© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.