Graduation Date
Spring 2023
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Biology
Committee Chair Name
Sean Craig
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Paul Bourdeau
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Luke Miller
Third Committee Member Affiliation
Community Member or Outside Professional
Fourth Committee Member Name
Alison Young
Fourth Committee Member Affiliation
Community Member or Outside Professional
Subject Categories
Biology
Abstract
With the continued progression of climate change, the role of foundation species as mediators of temperature stress for species living on and within them has become increasingly important. In the intertidal zone, a major foundation species is the California mussel, Mytilus californianus, which can help to limit thermal stress for species that live among aggregations of these mussels. The ability of mussels to limit thermal stress as temperatures increase, however, is still unclear. This study sought to experimentally manipulate surface temperatures of artificial mussel beds in situ to examine the effects that increased surface heating at a single site may have on the interior temperature of mussel beds and the structure of communities associated with them.
Artificial mussel beds were outfitted with custom-created heating systems and deployed for three months in summer within an existing mussel bed in Trinidad, California. At the end of the study, these artificial mussels were collected and the community of species living within each bed was assessed, along with the temperature regime on the surface and interior of these experimental beds. Results showed that surface temperatures of these artificial mussel beds were higher than temperatures in their interior, indicating that temperature stress is diminished for species living within the mussel bed. Additionally, community structure within these artificial beds was significantly related to maximum daily interior plot temperatures, highlighting the value of in situ experimental manipulation of mussel bed surface temperatures to determine the potential future effects of climate change on mussel bed communities.
Citation Style
CSE
Recommended Citation
Windecker, Claire C., "Effect of in situ experimental heating of artificial Mytilus californianus beds on associated invertebrate communities in Northern California" (2023). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 654.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/654