Data from: Structural traits dictate abiotic stress amelioration by intertidal oysters

1.Autogenic ecosystem engineers often provide cool microhabitats which are used by associated organisms to reduce thermal extremes. The value of such habitats is, however, dependant on key structural traits of the ecosystem engineer, and the intensity and duration of thermal exposure.

2.Using an experimental mesocosm that mimicked the rocky intertidal environment, we assessed how the spatial configuration of the habitat formed by an autogenic ecosystem engineer, the oyster, influences its capacity to mitigate heat stress experienced by invertebrates during simulated emersion periods on tropical, Hong Kong rocky shores.

3.At the average temperature experienced during summer low tides, oyster habitat ameliorated environmental and organismal temperatures, irrespective of the structural configuration of the oyster bed. As temperatures increased, however, vertically orientated oysters provided microclimates that facilitated cooler invertebrate body temperatures than horizontal beds, which no longer conferred any associational benefit as compared to bare rock surfaces.

4.In the absence of oysters, physiological indicators of stress to associated organisms (i.e. heart rate and osmolality) increased with the intensity and duration of exposure to high temperatures. Such effects were, however, mitigated by association with vertical but not horizontal oyster configurations. In contrast, the osmolality of the oysters was not related to temperature, suggesting they remained in a state of metabolic quiescence throughout emersion.

5.Structural traits such as the spatial configuration of ecosystem engineers are, therefore, critical to their effectiveness in environmental amelioration. As such, variations in the morphological traits of ecosystem engineers, which have important implications for their ecological role, need to be incorporated into conservation and restoration projects aimed at climate change adaptation.

Usage Notes
Intertidal mesocosm data_ McAfee et al.Raw data for temperature changes and biological responses in an intertidal mesocosm setting.McAfee et al. FE-2018-00027_Dryad data storage.xlsx

1. 自发生态系统工程师往往为相关生物提供凉爽的微生境，这些生境被用于减轻热极端条件。然而，此类生境的价值却依赖于生态系统工程师的关键结构特征，以及热暴露的强度和持续时间。（Autogenic ecosystem engineers often provide cool microhabitats which are used by associated organisms to reduce thermal extremes. The value of such habitats is, however, dependant on key structural traits of the ecosystem engineer, and the intensity and duration of thermal exposure.）

2. 通过构建模拟岩石潮间带环境的实验中宇宙，本研究评估了由自发生态系统工程师——牡蛎——形成的生境空间配置如何影响其缓解热带香港岩石海岸模拟露出期间无脊椎动物所承受的热应激的能力。（Using an experimental mesocosm that mimicked the rocky intertidal environment, we assessed how the spatial configuration of the habitat formed by an autogenic ecosystem engineer, the oyster, influences its capacity to mitigate heat stress experienced by invertebrates during simulated emersion periods on tropical, Hong Kong rocky shores.）

3. 在夏季低潮的平均温度下，牡蛎生境改善了环境和生物的温度，无论牡蛎床的结构配置如何。然而，随着温度的升高，垂直方向的牡蛎提供了比水平床更凉爽的微气候，而水平床相较于裸露的岩石表面不再提供任何相关性益处。（At the average temperature experienced during summer low tides, oyster habitat ameliorated environmental and organismal temperatures, irrespective of the structural configuration of the oyster bed. As temperatures increased, however, vertically orientated oysters provided microclimates that facilitated cooler invertebrate body temperatures than horizontal beds, which no longer conferred any associational benefit as compared to bare rock surfaces.）

4. 在没有牡蛎的情况下，相关生物的压力生理指标（即心率与渗透压）随着高温暴露的强度和持续时间的增加而升高。然而，与垂直而非水平牡蛎配置的关联可以减轻这些影响。相反，牡蛎的渗透压与温度无关，表明它们在整个露出期间处于代谢静息状态。（In the absence of oysters, physiological indicators of stress to associated organisms (i.e. heart rate and osmolality) increased with the intensity and duration of exposure to high temperatures. Such effects were, however, mitigated by association with vertical but not horizontal oyster configurations. In contrast, the osmolality of the oysters was not related to temperature, suggesting they remained in a state of metabolic quiescence throughout emersion.）

5. 因此，生态系统工程师的结构特征，如空间配置，对于其在环境改善中的有效性至关重要。因此，生态系统工程师的形态学特征的变异，这对它们的生态角色具有重要意义，需要纳入旨在适应气候变化的保护和恢复项目中。（Structural traits such as the spatial configuration of ecosystem engineers are, therefore, critical to their effectiveness in environmental amelioration. As such, variations in the morphological traits of ecosystem engineers, which have important implications for their ecological role, need to be incorporated into conservation and restoration projects aimed at climate change adaptation.）

Usage Notes

潮间带中宇宙数据_ McAfee 等人. 潮间带中宇宙环境中的温度变化和生物反应的原始数据。McAfee 等人. FE-2018-00027_Dryad 数据存储.xlsx