Patterns of Community Metabolism in the Development of a Marine Fouling Community

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Abstract
Margalef postulated that the community respiration per unit biomass ratio (R/B) could be used to index the maturity of communities and developmental stages within a successional sequence. This study tested Margalef''s hypothesis by measuring respiration and biomass during the development of a marine fouling community. The prediction that the R/B ratio would decrease continuously along succession was confirmed during the early phases of development. The rate of change of the ratio decreased along succession, and after 8 mo., no longer reflected the continued development of the fouling community. The R/B ratio may provide an objective means for distinguishing between communities at least during the early phases of development. As an alternative to Margalef''s explanation for the predicted phenomenon, the form of the community R/B curve may best be explained in terms of the changing relationship between the biomass and the respiration rate of the individuals within the community. [Taxa observed on settling plates include: Porifera, Cnidaria, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Ectoprocta and Chordata.].