Implications of nutrient enrichment for the conservation and management of seagrass Zostera muelleri meadows

相似文献   

Decomposition processes in coastal lagoons and their implications for the assessment of ecological health

相似文献   

Importance of various marine coastal habitats during the life cycle of Spratelloides delicatulus in Con Dao,the oldest MPA in Vietnam

• 1. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are set up to conserve biodiversity, but their design is not always based on strictly scientific considerations. Ideally, an MPA should protect all key habitats necessary for a marine species to complete its life cycle. The identification of these key habitats is complex, especially during the early life of marine fishes.
• 2. A widely distributed tropical and important low trophic‐level fish species, Spratelloides delicatulus (Clupeidae), was used to evaluate the significance of various coastal habitats for its larvae and juveniles in the Con Dao Archipelago MPA in Vietnam. Early stages (larvae and juveniles) were sampled monthly over one year (June 2016 to May 2017) using light traps in three main habitats (seagrass beds, coral reefs and harbour). The species was identified using morphometry and DNA barcoding. Age and growth variables were estimated using otolith daily growth increments.
• 3. A total of 3,581 fish were caught. The species was not found in captures between January and February, directly linked to the decrease in seawater temperature and was most abundant from April to June. For a subsample of 248 fish (7–38 mm standard length), ages ranged from 7 to 108 days.
• 4. Captures and back‐calculated birthdates using otolith daily increments showed that S. delicatulus spawns during the period of high seawater temperature, from March to October. The species colonizes all three habitats during the early stages (0–26 days old), with growth rate lowest on the seagrass beds. Nevertheless, the species occupies seagrass beds exclusively during the older stages.
• 5. The conservation of seagrass beds in the Con Dao archipelago is essential for protection of juvenile stages of this species but this habitat is presently not included in the MPA patches. Establishment of a continuum of protected areas linking habitats, rather than the existing patches is needed to conserve the complete life cycle of this species in the Con Dao MPA.

     

Spatial and temporal diversity of fish captured by light traps in various habitats in coastal waters in the oldest marine protected area in Vietnam and its implications for conservation

相似文献   

Prioritizing localized management actions for seagrass conservation and restoration using a species distribution model

相似文献   

Habitat associations of invertebrates in reedbeds,with implications for management

相似文献   

Nursery habitat for Asian horseshoe crabs along the northern Beibu Gulf,China: Implications for conservation management under baseline gaps

1. Identification, protection and enhancement of essential habitats are priority issues for management and restoration of exploited species. The shores utilized by Asian horseshoe crabs as nurseries were surveyed and the coastal habitat characteristics were described in the northern Beibu Gulf of China. Regression models were applied to explore species‐habitat relationships.
2. Fourteen and ten nursery sites were identified for Tachypleus tridentatus and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda populations, respectively. Xiacun and Jinhaiwan in the eastern region of the northern Beibu Gulf were the essential nurseries for T. tridentatus, whereas Shanxin and Jiaodong in the western part were the primary nursery shores for C. rotundicauda. These shores supported high densities (4–6 individuals/100 m²) of juvenile horseshoe crab populations.
3. Mangrove and seagrass coverage area, coupled with sediment physico‐chemical parameters, particularly grain size, and the environmental heterogeneity of nursery habitats explained the distribution pattern of juvenile populations. Most juvenile populations were found along the outer fringe of mangroves in the small shallow estuary, particularly near outflows of tidal creeks with generally higher chlorophyll a and organic carbon contents. The distribution of high‐density juvenile populations of both species also overlapped with areas of seagrass patches.
4. These findings highlight the importance of mangroves and seagrasses in the nursery habitat use of Asian horseshoe crabs. Preserving the estuarine habitats with these vegetation types and identifying the high‐use nursery sites should be prioritised in China and other Asian places to conserve the declining Asian horseshoe crab populations.

     

The importance of the riparian ecotone and river hydraulics for sustainable basin-scale restoration scenarios

1. The effect of riparian ecotone functional complexity and stream hydraulics on an upland river ecosystem has been analysed. 2. The amount of nutrients retained by bottom sediment was lowest on a sandy substrate (range: 26–104 mg m⁻² P-PO₄) and highest in wetland bays (range: 558–5368 mg m⁻² P-PO₄). A stream bed covered by Berula erecta had about three times higher retentive nutrient capacity ( x̄ = 584 mg m⁻² day⁻¹) than did a sandy substrate( x̄ = 205 mg m⁻² day⁻¹). 3. The amount of allochthonous organic matter (CPOM) deposited on the stream bed decreased with current velocity. The trophic potential of CPOM, measured as total protein, was significantly correlated with the amount of deposited CPOM (r = 0.863; p<0.00001) and depended on stream order. 4. Both invertebrate and fish biomass in the upland river were significantly correlated with calcium/bicarbonate (benthos: r = 0.858; p<0.006; fish: r = 0.918; p<0.001). 5. Fish biomass, diversity and species richness were highest in pools, lower in riffles and lowest in the run/transition zone. 6. Macroinvertebrate biomass was highest at an intermediate riparian ecotone complexity with an adequate supply of organic matter and incident light. Fish biomass followed the same trend, being lowest in heavily shaded areas and in open channels without riparian vegetation (range: 1–4.5 g m⁻²), but highest in ecotones of intermediate complexity (range: 1.6–92.8 g m⁻²). The ‘cascading effect’ of invertebrate density depletion, which was inversely related to fish biomass, was observed seasonally. 7. The above results indicate that riparian ecotone structure and the heterogeneity of the stream channel may regulate biodiversity, productivity and nutrient retention in the fluvial corridor. These quantitative data help to create alternative scenarios for sustainable river basin management. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Linking pipefishes and seahorses to seagrass meadows in the Venice lagoon: Implications for conservation

相似文献   

Don't go breaking apart: Anthropogenic disturbances predict meadow fragmentation of an endangered seagrass

1. Although it is well established that human activities are linked to the loss of seagrasses worldwide, the influence of anthropogenic disturbances on the habitat fragmentation of seagrass meadows is less understood. This information is essential to identify how humans are modifying seascapes and what disturbances pose the greatest risk to seagrasses, which is pertinent given the rapid urbanization occurring in coastal areas.
2. This study examined how the habitat fragmentation of an endangered seagrass Posidonia australis varied in relation to several anthropogenic disturbances (i.e. human population, marine infrastructure, terrestrial run-off and catchment land-usage) within 10 estuaries across 620 km of coastline in New South Wales, Australia.
3. When comparing between estuaries, the fragmentation of P. australis meadows was significantly greater in estuaries adjacent to highly populated metropolitan centres – generally in the Greater Sydney region. At sites within estuaries, the density of boat moorings was the most important predictor of habitat fragmentation, but there was also evidence of higher fragmentation with increased numbers of jetties and oyster aquaculture leases.
4. These results suggest that the fragmentation of seagrass meadows will become more pervasive as the human population continues to grow and estuarine development increases. Strategies to mitigate anthropogenic disturbances on seagrass meadow fragmentation could include prohibiting the construction of boat moorings and other artificial structures in areas where seagrasses are present or promoting environmentally friendly designs for marine infrastructure. This knowledge will support ongoing management actions attempting to balance coastal development and the conservation of seagrasses.

     

Context dependency in the effect of Ulva‐induced loss of seagrass cover on estuarine macrobenthic abundance and biodiversity

相似文献   

A novel method combining species distribution models,remote sensing,and field surveys for detecting and mapping subtidal seagrass meadows

1. Seagrasses such as Zostera marina L. play a key role in coastal ecosystems because of the ecological goods and services that they provide, enhancing biodiversity, productivity and carbon sequestration. Despite their ecological relevance, their distribution is, to date, insufficiently documented and it is estimated that only one‐quarter of their global extent is mapped.
2. This study aims to develop a new method to accurately detect and map subtidal seagrass meadows, using Irish seagrass populations as a case study. This method consists of four steps: (i) the development of a species distribution model (SDM); (ii) the use of satellite‐derived images to visually appraise the potential presence and extent of seagrass beds; (iii) field surveys to validate the presence or absence of the seagrass; and finally (iv) the construction of an up‐to‐date detailed map of the seagrass distribution for the region under investigation.
3. Results indicate that along the Irish coast, and in western regions in particular, the actual distribution of seagrass is considerably greater than is currently reported. Using the proposed method, 16 new regions occupied by seagrass in areas of interest in County Galway (Kilkieran Bay, Bertraghboy Bay, and Chasla Bay) were identified, accounting for a total of 267.92 ha, which increased the previously documented distribution in this area by 44.74%.
4. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of this novel method to efficiently identify and map undocumented subtidal seagrass meadows. As seagrass habitats are under threat globally, the development of new mapping strategies is a critical contribution to current international efforts in seagrass monitoring and management.

     

Organic matter derived from kelp supports a large proportion of biomass in temperate rocky reef fish communities: Implications for ecosystem‐based management

相似文献   

Reducing the mortality of freshwater turtles in commercial fish traps

• 1. Mortality of air‐breathing vertebrates has been recognized for some time as a significant risk in Australian inland fisheries. There has often been conflict between the desires of fishers to maximize catches of their target species and the implementation of effective methods to reduce nontarget bycatch.
• 2. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of modifications to fish traps designed to prevent the capture of freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii) and to facilitate their release. The first study evaluated the use of 100 mm exclusion rings to prevent turtles entering eel traps. The second study assessed two configurations of a carp trap designed to release the accidental catch of turtles.
• 3. Eel traps fitted with 100 mm exclusion rings significantly reduced the turtle bycatch, with no significant difference being observed between mean size of eels captured in traps fitted with exclusion rings and traps without rings.
• 4. The trials on the modified carp trap confirmed that they effectively retained carp and released a majority (77%) of turtles over a 4 h period. Turtles retained in the carp traps were significantly longer than those that found their way out of the trap.
• 5. This study demonstrates the different approaches that can be taken to achieve a reduction in non‐target bycatch associated with traps, and illustrates the importance of exploiting both the physical and behavioural differences of the target and non‐target species in order to develop appropriate gear designs that effectively restrict the entry, or facilitate the release, of bycatch species.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of organic effluents from a salmon farm on a fjord system. I. Vertical export and dispersal processes

Vertical flux of organic waste from a Norwegian salmon farm (which produced 2910 tonnes of fish in 19 months) located in 230-m-deep water was measured nine times in the course of 2 years by sediment traps along a transect stretching from the farm and 3 km out towards the sea. The chemical composition of the trapped material and the sediment below the traps were analyzed. The results showed that when the fish farm was empty, sedimentation rates of organic matter were similar all along the transect. Throughout the production cycle high and very variable sedimentation rates of particulate organic matter, particulate organic carbon and particulate organic nitrogen were measured within 250 m from the farm, while between 550 and 3000 m away from the farm sedimentation rates were lower and constant throughout the cycle. During the second year of production, the annual vertical flux of particulate organic carbon to the bottom adjacent to the farm was 365 g m^− 2, nine times as high as what was found 3 km away from the farm. While the sedimentation rates showed that most of the waste matter settled within 250 m of the farm, the fatty acid composition and δ¹³C isotope ratio of the material in the bottom traps indicate that some components of the organic waste were transported as far as 550 to 900 m, probably due to resuspension of surface sediment. Despite the high sedimentation rates the content of sedimentary organic matter, total organic carbon and total organic nitrogen was not elevated in the sediment around the farm. However, phosphorus was found in higher concentrations in the sediments close to the farm, indicating that organic matter had settled on the sediment and been decomposed. The unchanged content of organic matter in the sediment during the production cycle showed that at this site the local resuspension and dispersal conditions and the decomposition capacity of the benthos were sufficient to prevent overloading of the locality.     

Wetland monitoring: aquatic plant changes in two Corsican coastal lagoons (Western Mediterranean Sea)

• 1. A monitoring system was developed in two Corsican coastal lagoons (Biguglia and Urbino; Corsica, Western Mediterranean).
• 2. Three species of seagrass (Nanozostera noltii, Ruppia cirrhosa and Cymodocea nodosa) were monitored by (i) measuring spatio‐temporal changes in the seagrasses, using fixed structures, (ii) investigating temporal changes in the biological parameters of the seagrasses, and (iii) mapping their distribution by processing aerial images of both lagoons.
• 3. These investigations showed that, while the two lagoons exhibit, a priori, a certain structural homogeneity (ecosystems based on aquatic plants), they function in different ways that are specifically linked to environmental conditions.
• 4. At present, the estimated net production varies from 86 to 469 g C m^?2 yr^?1 at Biguglia and 190 to 1301 g C m^?2 yr^?1 at Urbino. These values confirm the richness of these two lagoons, and the interest of using seagrass, by means of regular monitoring, for the conservation and management of coastal lagoons.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of temperate reef fish larvae to boat sound

相似文献   

Short‐term environmental changes in Lake Morenito (41°S, 71°W,Patagonia, Argentina) from the analysis of sub‐fossil chironomids

• 1. A short sediment core from Lake Morenito was studied to assess the impact of environmental changes on chironomid communities occurring during the last ca 100 yr.
• 2. Lake Morenito (41°S, 71°W) is located 20 km west of the city of Bariloche, in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Before 1960, this lake was a branch of Lake Moreno; by that time, an artificial dam closed the system, establishing the new lake. Another human disturbance that took place during the time span of the core was the introduction of salmonids to the area ca 1910.
• 3. The most important natural events that occurred in the area during the last 100 yr were related to volcanic episodes. One of them, occured in Chile in 1960 affecting the Argentinian side, coincided with the dam's construction.
• 4. Changes in the chironomid community were recorded by studying the sub‐fossil remains (the chitinized head capsule of the larvae) present in the sedimentary sequence. The results show that volcanic tephra layers deposited along the core led to a sharp instantaneous drop in the diversity and abundance of chironomid assemblages. Human activities are also associated with a change in chironomid community composition.
• 5. Chironomus reached its maximum abundance values in 1910 and 1960. The organic matter content also increased at the same time. The increase of Chironomus after 1910 is clearly related to an increase in the trophic status of the lake. However, owing to the synchronicity of events in 1960, i.e. the volcanic event and the dam's construction, it is difficult to establish whether the change in the chironomid assemblage was in response to an increase in trophic enrichment, to natural disturbance, or both.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Abundance of sulphate-reducing bacteria in fish farm sediments along the coast of Japan and South Korea

The abundance of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was investigated in the coastal marine sediments along the coast of Japan and South Korea. Sediment samples were collected from fish and shellfish farms between 2006 and 2008. As non-fish farming reference sites, sediments were also collected from highly eutrophic bays, a highly sulphidogenic saline lake, and the deep sea. A quantitative real-time PCR analysis that targeted the gene coding for a portion of the α-subunit of dissimilatory sulphite reductase (dsrA) was performed to assess the abundance of the SRB in the sediments. Between 2.8 × 10⁷ and 2.5 × 10⁹ copies of the dsrA gene per gram dry sediment were detected. There was no relationship between dsrA gene copy number and total bacterial count in the sediments, whereas organic matter contents (particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, ignition loss and chemical oxygen demand) and acid-volatile sulphide contents were significantly correlated with the dsrA copy number. The data presented demonstrate that organic enrichment of sediment may influence the abundance of SRB communities in coastal marine sediments and that the cell density of SRB may be used as a biological indicator for assessing pollution levels in sediments of marine fish farms.     

Trap modification opens new gates to achieve sustainable coral reef fisheries

相似文献