Abstract
In order to investigate the process of spatial distribution at meso-scale (from several tens of centimeters to several meters) with variable spatial resolution, Asian mussel (Arcuatula senhousia) and macroalgae mats were examined in a 10 m × 10 m quadrat divided into 0.25 m × 0.25 m (1,600 mesh) at four sites in every month (between 2012–2013) in Lake Nakaumi, Japan. The observed pattern of spatial distribution was different between the four sites. The depth and current velocity were significantly associated with the pattern differences, while other water environmental factors (namely, salinity, pH, ORP, and DO) were not significantly correlated. Asian mussel mats tended to show random pattern formation with a small source, while the macroalgal mats displayed a gradient formation with a larger source. However, the variable spatial distribution of mats and the results of spatial correlograms (Moran’s I) imply that spatial distribution of both types of mats may be regulated by a larger scale compared with our established quadrate scale of 10 m × 10 m.
https://ror.org/02cgss904 
