Historical changes in bivalve growth rates indicate ecological consequences of human occupation in estuaries

1. Only 800 years ago, New Zealand became the last major land mass to be settled by humans, leading to environmental degradation and precipitating a decline in indigenous fauna. Such ecological downgrading can alter ecosystem processes and drive down the capacity for remnant ecosystems to withstand the anthropogenic pressures of today.
2. In New Zealand, these impacts are chronicled in a concise and remarkably complete archaeological record and are distinguishable from natural changes due to changing climate.
3. Estuaries are subject to strong environmental gradients that drive productivity and contain critical habitats for key life‐history phases for marine and terrestrial species. Linking land to sea, they host abundant, accessible human resources and are sensitive to anthropogenic environmental modification.
4. Austrovenus stutchburyi is a common filter feeding bivalve in New Zealand estuaries. An important food source for Māori, their shells are abundant in middens. Growth rates of A. stutchburyi are affected by multiple environmental factors, including temperature, salinity, nutrients, and sediment, and are recorded through time as easily measurable annual shell bands. Measuring spatial and temporal variation in growth rate of A. stutchburyi can be used to identify the timing of changes in estuarine conditions.
5. Growth bands were measured in archaeological and modern (AD 1300–present) A. stutchburyi shells from six sites around New Zealand with varying occupational histories. There were no increases in growth rate, and rates declined measurably over time at three sites (up to a 50% reduction in growth per year). This decline was greater at estuaries that had experienced greater catchment modification, indicating that sediment loading due to land clearance was a likely driver of this change.
6. New Zealand's coastline and marine resources are often perceived as wild and pristine. We propose that fundamental changes have occurred in the functioning of coastal marine ecosystems, which constrain its future.

     

The Warrumbungle Post‐Fire Recovery Project—raising the profile of soils

The impacts of a wildfire and subsequent rainfall event in 2013 in the Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales, Australia were examined in a project designed to provide information on post‐fire recovery expectations and options to land managers. A coherent suite of sub‐projects was implemented, including soil mapping, and studies on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N), erosion rates, groundcover recovery and stream responses. It was found that the loss of SOC and N increased with fire severity, with the greatest losses from severely burnt sandstone ridges. Approximately 2.4 million t of SOC and ~74,000 t of N were lost from soil to a depth of 10 cm across the 56,290 ha affected. Soil loss from slopes during the subsequent rainfall event was modelled up to 25 t ha^?1, compared to a long‐term mean annual soil loss of 1.06 t ha^?1 year^?1. Groundcover averages generally increased after the fire until spring 2015, by which time rates of soil loss returned to near pre‐fire levels. Streams were filled with sand to bank full levels after the fire and rainfall. Rainfall events in 2015–2016 shifted creek systems into a major erosive phase, with incision through the post‐fire sandy bedload deposits, an erosive phase likely related to loss of topsoils over much of the catchment. The effectiveness of the research was secured by a close engagement with park managers in issue identification and a communications programme. Management outcomes flowing from the research included installation of erosion control works, redesign of access and monitoring of key mass movement hazard areas.     

Beneficial co‐culture of jellyfish Rhopilema esculenta (Kishinouye) and sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka): implications for pelagic‐benthic coupling

This study investigated monthly changes of sedimentation and sediment properties in three different culture systems (ponds) – i.e. jellyfish Rhopilema esculenta monoculture (J), sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus and jellyfish co‐culture (SJ) and sea cucumber monoculture (S) – to verify the feasibility of co‐culturing jellyfish and sea cucumbers. Results showed that jellyfish culture accelerated the settling velocity of total particulate matter (TPM). Average TPM settling velocities in the SJ (75.6 g m^?2 day^?1) and J (71.1 g m^?2 day^?1) ponds were significantly higher than that in the S pond (21.7 g m^?2 day^?1) from June to September during the jellyfish culture period. Average settling velocities of organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in the SJ pond increased significantly by 3.0, 2.9, 3.3 and 3.8 times, respectively, compared with those in the S pond. Sediment contents of OM, TOC, TN and TP in the SJ and J ponds were significantly higher than those in the S pond during the jellyfish culture season. The specific growth rate of sea cucumbers feeding on SJ sediment was significantly higher than that of those feeding on S sediment. Co‐culturing sea cucumbers with jellyfish may help alleviate benthic nutrient loading due to the jellyfish and provide a secondary cash crop.     

Evidence of sedimentation inequality along riparian areas colonised by Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam)

Soil loss from riparian areas supporting the annual invasive weed, Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam), was measured and compared with equivalent values recorded at nearby, topographically similar areas supporting perennial vegetation over a cumulative seven-year period, along sections of two separate river systems; one in Switzerland, and one in the UK. Soil loss from colonised locations was significantly greater than from reference locations in four of the seven measurement periods. Despite contrasting results, standard deviations, based on soil losses and gains, were predominantly higher for colonised areas at both rivers over most monitoring periods. These findings indicated that areas colonised by Himalayan balsam experience higher sediment flux in comparison with areas free of invasion. Here, we test those original interpretations by reinterrogating the datasets using a more robust analysis of inequality. Nine datasets were tested, five of which (i.e. 56%) showed that sediment flux was significantly greater at Himalayan balsam-invaded areas than at reference areas. Three datasets showed no difference in sediment flux between invaded and reference areas (33%), and one (11%) showed higher sediment flux at reference areas. Most results uphold our original interpretations and support our hypothesis that hydrochory probably dictates where colonisation initially occurs, by depositing Himalayan balsam seeds in slack or depressional areas along river margins. Once Himalayan balsam becomes established and sufficient perennial vegetation is displaced, seasonal die-off and depleted vegetation cover may increase the risk that some areas will experience significantly higher sediment flux.     

Effect of allelic variation at the Glu-3/Gli-1 loci on breadmaking quality parameters in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) encoded by the Glu-3 loci are known to contribute to wheat breadmaking quality. However, the specific effect of individual Glu-3 alleles is not well understood due to their complex protein banding patterns in SDS-PAGE and tight linkage with gliadins at the Gli-1 locus. Using DNA markers and a backcross program, we developed a set of nine near isogenic lines (NILs) including different Glu-A3/Gli-A1 or Glu-B3/Gli-B1 alleles in the genetic background of the Argentine variety ProINTA Imperial. The nine NILs and the control were evaluated in three different field trials in Argentina. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions were detected for most quality parameters indicating that the effects of the Glu-3/Gli-1 alleles are modulated by environmental differences. None of the NILs showed differences in total flour protein content, but relative changes in the abundance of particular classes of proteins cannot be ruled out. On average, the Glu-A3f, Glu-B3b, Glu-B3g and Glu-B3i_Man alleles were associated with the highest values in gluten strength-related parameters, while Glu-A3e, Glu-B3a and Glu-B3i_Chu were consistently associated with weak gluten and low quality values. The value of different Glu-3/Gli-1 allele combinations to improve breadmaking quality is discussed.     

Mesohabitat associations of the threatened San Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana) across its geographic range

1. Habitat loss is one of the most critical factors affecting the loss of species. However, habitat conservation of many threatened species is performed with incomplete information on habitat requirements and trophic ecology, thus presenting a challenge to designing and implementing recovery plans.
2. The San Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana) is a federally threatened spring‐associated organism whose geographic distribution is limited to the headwaters of the San Marcos River in Texas, USA. Although its designated critical habitat includes the headwaters and the first 50 m of the river, little is known of its habitat requirements or co‐occurrence with benthic macroinvertebrates and macrophytes.
3. This study examined mesohabitat associations of the salamander and patterns of co‐occurrence with macrophytes and benthic invertebrates within its critical habitat. Surveys of mesohabitat characteristics were conducted during a one‐year period and data were analysed to assess mesohabitat associations of the San Marcos salamander and patterns of co‐occurrence with invertebrates and macrophytes.
4. Salamanders were distributed throughout the critical habitat, but were almost exclusively found in mesohabitats containing cobble and gravel with coverage of Amblystegium and filamentous algae. The salamander did not exhibit consistent co‐occurrence with specific invertebrates or macrophytes across the critical habitat, indicating that salamanders were probably selecting mesohabitats based on benthic substrate and not the biotic communities.
5. Protection of a specific mesohabitat type within the critical habitat of the San Marcos salamander is likely to be one of the most important conservation measures, given that it accounts for ~7% of the total area within the designated critical habitat. These results also emphasize that habitat conservation plans for species at risk should consider that contemporary spatial distribution of species within habitats may be influenced not only by their evolutionary history but also by past and current human pressures.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ridge to reef modelling for use within land–sea planning under data‐limited conditions

1. Soil erosion associated with land‐use change is considered one of the greatest human threats to coral reef ecosystems globally. To account for sediment runoff in land–sea planning, spatially and temporally dynamic models are needed that predict where soil loss is occurring, in addition to where sediments are travelling and settling in coastal marine areas. This assessment is particularly difficult given the complex three‐dimensional movement of sediment in water bodies.
2. This study assessed the vulnerability of key marine resources to sedimentation in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, by developing a coupled terrestrial and marine model that relied primarily on global datasets. The model predicted the quantities of sediment at river mouths, and the spatial extent over where this sediment disperses in the ocean.
3. In total, 1850 km² of coral reefs, marine protected areas, dive sites, pearl farms, and other benthic habitats in Raja Ampat were found within sediment plumes with varying degrees of impact. Two hypothetical land‐use scenarios were created to illustrate the sensitivity of sedimentation on marine resources to development, and to compare future alternative management scenarios. The model provides a powerful tool for planners to understand how land management, and land‐use change might affect marine resources, particularly in data‐limited regions.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bacterial community composition of sediments from a milkfish Chanos chanos Forsskål farm

Bacterial communities in sediments underneath milkfish cages and adjacent off‐cage areas in Bolinao, Lingayen Gulf, West Philippine Sea were characterized using PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to assess influence of the fish farming to the sediments. The sediments in the fish cage (FC) area showed anoxic conditions [redox potential of ?165 to ?213 mV and acid‐volatile sulphide‐sulphur (AVS‐S) of 0.55–1.88 mg g^?1 (dry weight)] compared to the relatively oxic off‐cage area [redox potential of 72–81 mV and AVS‐S of 0.09–0.14 mg g^?1 (dry weight)]. The composition of the microbial populations revealed influence of the fish feed sedimentation with higher dominance of putative sulphate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in the FC area. Compositions of the bacterial taxa showed dominance of the Bacteroidetes group and Deltaproteobacteria. The results suggest that the fish feeds created a new suitable environment, in which reductive microorganisms such as SRB, ferric‐ion‐reducing bacteria and nitrate‐reducing bacteria can thrive. Organic load from the feed and quantity of its leftover constituents may be the key factors that influence the structure of the bacterial community in the sediments of the milkfish farms.     

黄河水沉淀后水质对滴灌灌水器堵塞的影响

利用2013年5月—10月和2014年7月—11月的实测数据,分析了乌海市不同功能的三个典型沉淀池(如意湖、林业湖和朝阳湖)的浊度、细菌总数、叶绿素a、总氮、总磷五项水质指标的沉淀、过滤效率,利用灌水器堵塞野外调查数据并结合堵塞物电镜扫描图片,探讨了黄河水经过平流沉淀+网式过滤组合模式处理后仍会造成灌水器堵塞的原因。结果表明:各沉淀池浊度的沉淀和过滤效率均较高,其中如意湖的沉淀效率最高,平均去除率为63%;2013年朝阳湖的过滤效率最高,为60.53%,各沉淀池水质指标的过滤效果普遍较差。黄河水经沉淀过滤后仍会造成灌水器堵塞,其主要原因与细小颗粒物和微生物形成的絮状结构有关,建议对原有沉淀、过滤措施提出改进,经一、二级沉淀后在泵房内改用叠片式砂过滤器。     

Effects of water exchange protocols on water quality,sedimentation rate and production performance of Penaeus monodon in earthen ponds

This study was carried out in farmers' fields to quantify the total water and consumptive water use in grow‐out culture of Penaeus monodon under recommended package of practice with two different water management protocols: T₁, with no water exchange and T₂, with regulated water exchange. Treatment‐wise estimated total water use, was 2.09 and 2.43 ha‐m 122 day^?1, while the computed consumptive water use index (m³ kg^?1 biomass) was 5.35 and 6.02 in T₁ and T₂ respectively. Lower rates of water exchange (T₂) showed significantly improved (P < 0.05) crop performance in terms of performance index (19.75 ± 0.75), production‐size index (74.1 ± 3.4), survival rate (80.13 ± 1.7%) and productivity (2.44 ± 0.08 t) over the zero water exchange. The shrimp pond water quality suitability index (WQSI) infers that regulated water exchange (T₂) improved the overall suitability of water quality for shrimp culture. WQSI up to 90 days of culture ranged between 7.5–9.0 in T₂, needs little management while in the last month of rearing, it was good with moderate management requirements. Treatment‐wise sediment load ranged between 50.4–56.3 m³ t^?1 shrimp biomass. High intensity of water exchange and low apparent feed conversion ratio influenced in lowering the sedimentation rate. Regulated water exchange protocol (T₂) performed well (higher net total water productivity and net consumptive water productivity) against no water exchange (T₁). A higher OV:CC ratio (ratio of the output value to the cost of cultivation) indicated that T₂ had a distinct edge over the T₁ protocol.