Herbivory and nutrient enrichment are major drivers of the dynamics of algal communities. However, their effects on algal abundance are under the influence of seasons. This study investigated the effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on early algal succession patterns using cages (uncaged and fully caged treatments) and two nutrient levels (ambient and enriched concentrations). To determine seasonal influences, experiment plots on dead coral patches were cleared during both dry and rainy season. Of the 17 algal species recruited in the experiment plots, three were dominant: Ulva paradoxa C. Agardh, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa Børgesen. In this succession process, U. paradoxa was the earliest colonizer and occupied the cleared plots within the first month after clearing with the highest percentage of 83.33 ± 1.67% to 88.33 ± 9.28%. Then, it was replaced by the late successional algae, Padina in the Vaughaniella stage, and P. sphaerocarpa. The effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on algal abundance varied across algal functional groups and seasons. During the dry season, neither herbivory nor nutrient enrichment affected Ulva cover but during the rainy season, Ulva cover was influenced by nutrient enrichment. However, the abundance of algae in this early stage was not apparently affected by either herbivory or nutrient enrichment. Our results indicated that the timing of disturbance strongly influenced the algal abundance and successional patterns in this tropical intertidal community.

中文翻译：

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热带潮间带群落早期藻类演替模式的干扰、自上而下和自下而上驱动的时间

食草和营养丰富是藻类群落动态的主要驱动力。然而，它们对藻类丰度的影响受季节的影响。本研究使用网箱（未笼养和完全笼养处理）和两种营养水平（环境浓度和富集浓度）调查了食草和营养丰富对早期藻类演替模式的影响。为了确定季节性影响，在旱季和雨季都清除了死珊瑚斑块上的实验地块。在实验地块中招募的 17 种藻类中，三种占优势：Ulva paradoxa C. Agardh、处于 Vaughaniella 阶段的 Padina 和 Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa Børgesen。在这个演替过程中，U. paradoxa 是最早的殖民者，并在清除后的第一个月内以最高的 83 百分比占领了清除的地块。33 ± 1.67% 至 88.33 ± 9.28%。然后，它被晚期演替藻类、Vaughaniella 阶段的 Padina 和 P. sphaerocarpa 所取代。食草和营养丰富对藻类丰度的影响因藻类功能群和季节而异。在旱季，食草和养分富集均不影响石莼盖度，但在雨季，石莼盖度受到养分富集的影响。然而，早期阶段的藻类丰度并没有明显受到食草动物或营养丰富的影响。我们的结果表明，干扰的时间强烈影响了这个热带潮间带群落的藻类丰度和演替模式。食草和营养丰富对藻类丰度的影响因藻类功能群和季节而异。在旱季，食草和养分富集均不影响石莼盖度，但在雨季，石莼盖度受到养分富集的影响。然而，早期阶段的藻类丰度并没有明显受到食草动物或营养丰富的影响。我们的结果表明，干扰的时间强烈影响了这个热带潮间带群落的藻类丰度和演替模式。食草和营养丰富对藻类丰度的影响因藻类功能群和季节而异。在旱季，食草和养分富集均不影响石莼盖度，但在雨季，石莼盖度受到养分富集的影响。然而，早期阶段的藻类丰度并没有明显受到食草动物或营养丰富的影响。我们的结果表明，干扰的时间强烈影响了这个热带潮间带群落的藻类丰度和演替模式。在这个早期阶段，藻类的丰度显然没有受到食草动物或营养丰富的影响。我们的结果表明，干扰的时间强烈影响了这个热带潮间带群落的藻类丰度和演替模式。在这个早期阶段，藻类的丰度显然没有受到食草动物或营养丰富的影响。我们的结果表明，干扰的时间强烈影响了这个热带潮间带群落的藻类丰度和演替模式。