A tale of two key species in a subtropical mudflat: four-fold density increases produce minimal ecological response in macrofauna

Context Understanding how ecosystems function to deliver services is essential if we are limit the impacts off human activities. Aim We hypothesised that increased densities of whelk, Pyrazus ebeninus, and crab, Macrophthalmus setosus, up four times (given their large body-size ecological roles, e.g. consuming deposits disturbing sediments) would affect macrofaunal community it functions in a south-eastern Queensland mudflat. Method The biota physical environment field-deployed cages (three density treatments, caged control plots) were sampled 90 days. Results After days, redox discontinuity layer was deeper sediment organic matter higher all treatments. This consistent with enhanced burrowing, surface disturbance, mucus pellet production. However, no significant changes taxonomic composition unmanipulated portion resident assemblage observed. Conclusion Whereas some communities change structurally when perturbated then revert, this remained new manipulated configuration for at least Implications Limited understanding relationships these systems, such as processes operating support increase deposit-feeding biomass constrains evidence-based management. These systems may be able to, temporally, biomasses levels ecosystem services.