The effect of willow control using a glyphosate formulation on aquatic invertebrates within a New Zealand wetland

Exotic trees, such as willow (Salix spp.), have become invasive around New Zealand waterways. Lowland wetlands in particular are vulnerable, with invasions changing hydrology and causing biodiversity loss. Applying herbicide to the willow canopy is a cost-effective control method, however uncertainty remains around effects on wetland aquatic invertebrates. Within a North Island, New Zealand, wetland, we conducted a paired before-after, control-impact study to determine if aerially applied glyphosate (with adjuvants) affected invertebrate assemblages. No effect on communities was detected during the first year after glyphosate treatment, however significant differences between control and spray-exposed communities were found during the second year, coinciding with a significant drought event in March 2013. By the third year, no statistically significant differences were found between communities from control and spray-exposed sites. This study suggests that glyphosate use, in comparable environments, is unlikely to affect aquatic invertebrates. Furthermore, the study illustrates invertebrate communities’ resilience to drought events.     

Demersally drifting invertebrates from Kongsfjorden,Svalbård (Arctic Ocean)–a comparison of catches from drift-pump and drift-nets

Demersally drifting organisms were collected at Ny Ålesund (Svalbård–Arctic Ocean) to study the taxon composition and relative abundances in the Arctic summer. Catch potentials of two collection devices for demersal drift were compared. A lowvolume submersible drift-pump and a drift-net unit were employed for the collection of demersally drifting biota, particularly for shallow aquatic habitats. With the exception of Appendicularia, Chaetognatha, Coelenterata, and Ctenophora, which were damaged at times, the pump catches were in good condition and sufficient for identification and quantification of less mobile fauna. A comparison of the two devices revealed that the drift-pump collected more specimens than the drift-net. However, the drift-net may have caused an underestimation of the abundances of invertebrates. No differences in identified taxon number and indices of richness, evenness and diversity were found. However, the proportion of invertebrate animals in the two devices was different for the three groups: zooplankton, macrofauna and meiofauna. At Svalbård, zooplankton, larvae of macrofauna, and meiofauna were successfully collected by the two collecting devices. However, the catchibility of the two devices in collecting various invertebrate taxa was different and, therefore, a sound ‘Device Effect’ was revealed.     

Patterns of waterbird community composition across a natural and restored wetland landscape mosaic,Yellow River Delta,China

Habitat restoration can help mitigate the extensive loss and degradation of estuarine and coastal wetlands that have consequently eroded the integrity of many migratory flyways and wintering habitat for waterbird populations. Assessing the impact of restoration strategies however relies on empirical data on waterbird community distribution patterns across natural and restored wetland components. We conducted habitat and waterbird surveys across six natural and restored wetland regions in the Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve (YRDNR), eastern China, between 2007 and 2009. We recorded 93 waterbird species, including populations of 21 global conservation importance species. Community composition was stratified into distinctive clusters with compositional structure changing across these natural, modified and restored wetland components. NMDS ordination revealed that waterbird communities in restored wetlands were significantly different from those in natural and modified wetland components. Community distribution patterns were strongly influenced by environmental gradients (most noticeably salinity), water-level regulation, vegetation composition and differences in protected status. We found marked temporal patterns in waterbird community composition, which may be predictable for the different wetland components across the YRDNR landscape. Our study highlights the conservation benefits of restoring smaller wetland components in improving the ecological integrity of the wider wetland landscape mosaic for waterbird populations. A more coherent and intensive landscape management of water-level regulation and restoration of salinity gradients will be fundamental for wetland and waterbird conservation throughout the YRDNR.     

环境要素驱动下的长江口无脊椎动物群聚特征

为探讨2013年长江口及其邻近海域游泳动物中无脊椎动物群落特征,作者根据5月(春季)和11月(秋季)长江口渔业资源综合调查数据,探讨无脊椎动物优势种分布和群落结构与环境因子的关系。结果显示, 2013年共采集无脊椎动物25种,隶属于2纲5目11科,甲壳动物为优势类群。春季优势种为三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)和日本枪乌贼(Loliolus japonica);秋季优势种为三疣梭子蟹、中华管鞭虾(Solenocera melantho)、口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)和双斑蟳(Charybdis bimaculata),其中三疣梭子蟹在两季节优势度均为最高。春、秋两季无脊椎动物群落差异极显著,两个季节都存在南、北两个群聚组。无脊椎动物资源量主要集中在优势种群,秋季丰度和生物量均高于春季。无脊椎动物群落季节内站位之间相似性较低,季节间差异较高,表现出较明显的空间异质性和季节演替。冗余分析(RDA)结果显示,春、秋季无脊椎动物群落时空差异显著,两季节均存在南、北两个群聚组。优势物种对悬浮物的选择性不同,三疣梭子蟹、口虾蛄和双斑蟳丰度的高值区均集中在高浊度海域,日本枪乌贼和中华管鞭虾更倾向于分布在清澈的海域。温度主要影响物种的季节洄游而驱动无脊椎动物群落的时间变异,悬浮物含量主要影响动物生存条件而驱动群落的空间变异。     

Spatial and diurnal distribution of invertebrate and fish fauna of a Zostera marina bed and nearby unvegetated sediments in Damariscotta River, Maine (USA)

Fish, epibenthos and macroinfauna were collected in a Zostera marina bed and nearby unvegetated sediments in the estuary of the Damariscotta River, on the mid-coast of Maine. Samples of epibenthic fauna and fish were collected at low tides both during day and night, and samples of infauna at low tides during the day. The mean density of Zostera shoots in the study area was 335 m⁻². Abundance and species number of fish were greater at night than during the day and greater in eelgrass beds (Z. marina) than in unvegetated habitats. Daytime fish collections were dominated by Atlantic silversides (Medinia medinia), while juvenile winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) dominated night collections. Also Zostera-associated epifaunal abundances and number of species were significantly higher at night than during the day. Mysis stenolepis, Idotea balthica and Littorina obtusata were dominant species in the epifauna samples. Of the total of 37 invertebrate species encountered, only five occurred both in the infaunal and epifaunal samples. Nineteen different taxa were collected from the benthic core samples. The most abundant invertebrate infaunal taxa were sipunculids, the polychaete Nereis virens, and oligochaetes. Infaunal invertebrate abundances and species diversity were significantly higher in eelgrass beds than in unvegetated sediments. The abundance and number of species of benthic invertebrates were also positively correlated to seagrass biomass. Community diversity values (H′) were relatively low but fit well in the general pattern of decreasing diversity towards northern latitudes.     

Changes in zooplankton diversity and distribution pattern under varying precipitation regimes in a southern temperate estuary

The influence of climate variability on the diversity and distribution patterns of zooplankton communities was investigated in the Mondego estuary (Portugal) during four consecutive years characterized by highly variable precipitation and, consequently, river flow regime. Monthly samples were collected along the estuarine gradient at five sampling stations. Seasonal, inter-annual and spatial distributions were evaluated by multivariate analyses and three diversity indices were applied (Species number, Shannon Diversity and Average Taxonomic Distinctness). A two-year drought period presented significant differences in salinity values, especially in 2005 (extreme drought event). During the study period, copepoda was the main dominant group and Acartia tonsa the most abundant species, with the exception of autumn 2006, where high abundances of the cladoceran Penilia avirostris were noticed. Multivariate analysis indicated that zooplankton communities changed from a pre- to a post-drought period indicating the influence of hydrological parameters in communities' structure. The dry period was associated with an increase in zooplankton density, a reduction in seasonality and higher abundance and prevalence of marine species throughout the year. Seasonally, winter/spring communities were distinct from those in summer/autumn. Spatially, salinity-associated differences between upstream and downstream communities were reduced during the drought years, but during the post-drought year, these differences were detected again.     

Spatial and temporal variability of water quality and zooplankton in an artisanal salina

Conditions in artisanal salterns, or salinas, vary depending on their physical structure, seasonal effects, and the two periods of the salt production cycle. They therefore constitute unique wetland habitats, with particular communities that are still poorly studied. Water quality and zooplankton of a working artisanal salina were studied to evaluate spatial variability between sections and temporal variability between the salt production and flooded periods and between seasons. Zooplankton communities were related to environmental conditions. Sampling took place every second week, during almost two years, at six sites of the Tanoerias salina in Aveiro, Portugal: at the beginning and centre of the salina inlet channel, in a supply pond, in two evaporator and one crystalliser ponds. Since salt production occurs in the warm season only, seasonal effects concur with those caused by the salt production cycle. Results showed significant differences in temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) between salt production and flooded periods, i.e. summer and spring/winter seasons. Salinity and alkalinity were linked to salt production with extreme values in the salt-producing crystalliser pond. Zooplankton communities varied between seasons, but also with the salina section and the salt production cycle. Zooplankton densities and diversity tended to be lower during salt production, particularly under the extreme living conditions in the salina crystalliser pond. Variation in zooplankton communities between samples was mainly influenced by temperature, i.e. season, at the salina inlet, by BOD₅ or DO, also related to temperature and season, in the first ponds and by nutrients throughout the system.     

三江平原湿地植物群落P、K的积累、动态及其生物循环

在三江平原湿地植物生长季节里,选择该区分布最广、面积最大且最具有代表性的毛果苔草(Carexlasioncarpa)-狭叶甜茅(Glyceria spiculosa)群落和小叶章(Deyeuxia angustifo-lia)群落为研究对象,逐月测定两类湿地群落生物量,并对植物样品分别用钼锑抗比色法和原子吸收法测定其P、K含量。在此基础上,探讨了两类湿地群落的P、K积累量及其生物循环特征。结果表明,三江平原不同的植物群落以及同一群落的不同器官,其P、K元素积累量不同,而且都有明显的季节变化。根是群落中P、K元素的最大贮存器官,其P、K积累量占总量的80%左右。湿地群落中K的吸收量、归还量、存留量、现存量和表土贮量都大于P的对应值,同时K的利用系数和循环系数均大于P,毛果苔草-狭叶甜茅群落K的吸收系数大于P,而小叶章群落K的吸收系数小于P。     

Detecting patterns in hyporheic community structure: Does sampling method alter the story?

Hyporheic invertebrates were sampled in six small headwater streams draining pine, pasture, and native forest catchments. Sites were sampled in autumn and spring using three different hyporheic sampling methods (colonisation pots, pump sampling, and freeze‐coring). Total invertebrate abundance and taxon richness differed significantly among sites on both sampling occasions for pump samples, whereas freeze‐coring did not discriminate among sites, and pot samples showed significant differences in autumn, but not in spring. Differences among sites with respect to community composition were not consistent between sampling methods. Community ordination indicated that samples from colonisation pots tended to group together, whereas pump and freeze core samples were widely separated. Differences across land uses were also apparent (native forest sites formed a distinct cluster separated from pine and pasture sites). Results suggest that colonisation pots may provide a pathway for the entry of epigean organisms into the hyporheic zone even when hydraulic connectivity between surface and hyporheic zones is low. Invertebrate abundance was very low in pump samples, and this method also captured the fewest taxa of the three methods. The size bias known to exist with pump sampling techniques may restrict the usefulness of the method when comparing streams of differing hydraulic conductivity.     

Effects of crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons: Parastacidae) on in‐stream processes and benthic faunas: A density manipulation experiment

The effects of New Zealand freshwater crayfish or koura (Paranephrops planifrons: Parastacidae) on organic matter processing, sediment accumulation, and benthic invertebrate communities were investigated using four replicate treatments of 0 (control), 4–5 (medium), and 8–11 (high) similar‐sized koura in 0.5 m² artificial stream channels colonised by benthic invertebrates from a pasture stream, Waikato, New Zealand. Wineberry (Aristotelia serrata) leaf packs were placed in each channel and after 7 weeks the leaf matter remaining was significantly lower in both medium and high koura channels than in controls. The amount of sediment (surficial cover by fines and weight of suspendable sediment) was also significantly reduced in high koura density channels. Densities of invertebrates other than crayfish were not significantly different among treatments; however, taxa richness and invertebrate biomass were significantly lower in high koura channels than in controls. Our results suggest that freshwater koura may play a keystone role in structuring benthic invertebrate communities either directly through predation, or indirectly by sediment bioturbation and increasing organic matter processing rates.     

Bacterial abundance and activity in deep-sea sediments from the eastern North Atlantic

Results are presented from four cruises to the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP site) that took place during the BENGAL project from September 1996 to March 1998, and two cruises to the PAP and an oligotrophic site (EUMELI) that took place during the DEEPSEAS project between September 1993 and March 1994. Bacterial abundances in sediment and sediment contact water were measured by epifluorescence microscopy. Bacterial activity was determined by ³H-thymidine incorporation as a measure of DNA synthesis, and by ³H-leucine incorporation as a measure of protein synthesis. Activities were measured under atmospheric and in situ pressures and temperatures. Bacterial activity was usually higher in samples incubated at in situ pressure than those incubated at atmospheric pressure indicating that a barophilic community was dominant. Inter-cruise comparisons of abundance and activity during the BENGAL project showed no firm evidence of there being a seasonal response in the benthic microbial community to any episodic phytodetritus event. This was probably because of inter-annual variations in the quality and quantity of phytodetritus deposition at the PAP site, the rapid remineralization of fresh organic material by the microbial communities and the timing of cruises to the study area. ³H-thymidine and ³H-leucine incorporation in sediments was higher during the BENGAL period than the DEEPSEAS programme. A methodological change in the ³H-thymidine incorporation technique for sediments may explain the differences in DNA synthesis observed between the two projects, whereas the lower levels of protein synthesis observed during the DEEPSEAS programme probably reflected both inter-annual variations in activity at the PAP site and the lower productivity that prevailed at surface at the EUMELI oligotrophic site. Rates of ³H-thymidine incorporation in sediment contact water were similar during both projects.     

胶州湾海岸湿地保护:社区参与原则、方法与程序

在对胶州湾海岸湿地进行分类、湿地退化现状研究基础上,认为相关政府部门应该采取建设海岸湿地自然保护区、海岸湿地公园,发展循环经济和严格管理海岸带和海域利用等胶州湾海岸湿地保护与合理利用措施。同时,社区参与也是推动胶州湾海岸湿地保护与合理利用的重要方面。提出了成立社区参与组织,调查社区对湿地资源利用的需求,推广合理利用湿地资源的社区参与项目,协调地方关系、扩大社区参与的范围和领域,开展湿地保护和合理利用的宣传教育等社区参与胶州湾海岸湿地保护的初步措施。     

Habitat changes in coastal wetlands associated to hydrological changes in the watershed

In recent decades wetlands associated with the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain) have undergone several hydrological and biological changes as a consequence of increased water inputs from agricultural drainage off the watershed. Changes in the vegetal communities were studied by means of supervised classification of Landsat images, and TM and ETM+ sensors during the period 1984–2000, and a series of land cover maps was created. Changes in the wetland area during this period were analysed and a good fit was found with the total area of irrigated lands in the watershed. The series of land cover maps also allowed the study of the internal composition of the vegetal communities in each wetland. Important changes were detected, with an expansion of reedbeds and a significant reduction in the area occupied by priority habitats according to the Habitats Directive.     

Effect of the herbicide triclopyr on the abundance and species composition of benthic aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Ahuriri River,New Zealand

Abundance and species composition of aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates were compared between an area sprayed with the herbicide Grazon (active ingredient triclopyr), and an upstream control site (no triclopyr). Five Surber samples were collected from each of three riffles in control and treatment sites on eight occasions over a 1‐month period. Aquatic invertebrate species composition was similar in treatment and control sites, and did not change over time. The five taxa that made up 91–95% of all invertebrates by abundance did not vary significantly in treatment compared to control riffles. Abundance of three of the 15 most common taxa (>10 individuals per riffle) differed significantly between treatment and control sites over time. However, none of these fluctuations correspond to the presence of known concentrations of triclopyr in water samples, and it is unlikely that the declines resulted from triclopyr. These results are discussed with reference to known lethal concentrations of triclopyr for some invertebrates, and to the effect of floods on invertebrate populations.     

Invertebrate communities associated with hard bottom habitats in the South Atlantic Bight

Epibenthic invertebrates associated with nine hard bottom areas in the South Atlantic Bight between South Carolina and northern Florida were collected with dredge, trawl, suction and grab samplers to evaluate species composition, biomass, abundance, diversity, spatial distributions, and seasonality (winter and summer). Species composition changed noticeably with depth and season. Inner and outer shelf stations were least similar in species composition. Middle shelf areas were transitional and contained taxa characteristic of both inner and outer sites. Bryozoa (88 taxa), Cnidaria (85 taxa), Porifera (67 taxa), Annelida (261 taxa) and Mollusca (203 taxa) represented the richest taxonomic groups of the 1175 taxa collected. Both diversity (1175 total taxa) and biomass (1995 kg total) of invertebrates from hard bottom areas exceeded those reported in the literature for sand bottom communities. Sponges accounted for >60% of the total invertebrate biomass collected by dredge and trawl during both seasons. High diversity values were attributed primarily to habitat complexity and did not exhibit any discernible pattern with depth or latitude.     

基于国产高分辨率影像的图们江口中、朝、俄三国湿地景观格局对比分析

图们江是我国重要的国际性河流之一,受中国、朝鲜、俄罗斯三国政策、经济、文化等因素影响,三国的湿地景观截然不同。本文以我国国产高分辨率卫星GF-1和GF-2影像为数据源,通过对图们江口湿地的实地踏勘,建立了图们江口湿地遥感分类体系,包括湖泊、河流、沼泽、滩涂、坑塘、水田和水库共7类。采用目视解译方法,提取了图们江口湿地信息,对图们江口湿地现状和中、朝、俄湿地差异进行了分析。利用Fragstats景观分析软件,选取了斑块数(NP)、最大斑块指数(LPI)、斑块平均面积(MPS)、加权平均形状指数(SHAPE)、加权平均分形维数(FRAC)、香农多样性指数(SHDI)和香农均匀性指数(SHEI)等几个景观格局指数分析了图们江口湿地景观格局特征。结果表明:(1)研究区湿地总面积为39 503.38 hm²,以沼泽和湖泊为主,呈现近日本海聚集分布格局。(2)俄罗斯湿地面积占各国研究区湿地总面积比例最大,朝鲜次之,中国最小;朝鲜湿地开发程度最高,湿地破坏较严重。(3)朝鲜湿地破碎程度在三国中最重,中国次之;朝鲜因水田开发较严重,景观规则度最高;中国湿地多样性较其他两国丰富。     

The role of water mass dynamics in controlling bacterial abundance and production in the middle Adriatic Sea

Month-to-month fluctuations in the abundance of bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and bacterial production, as well as various chemical (nutrients, oxygen) and physical (salinity, temperature) parameters were analysed at a station located in the open middle Adriatic Sea during one decade (1997-2006). Being influenced by both coastal waters and open Adriatic circulation in the surface layer, and by the deep Adriatic water masses in the deep layers (100 m), this station is quite suitable for detecting the environmental changes occurring in the open Adriatic Sea with respect to the circulation of its water masses and their long-term changes and anomalies. Multivariate methods were used to identify seasonal and inter-annual changes of the investigated parameters, associating observed changes to the changes in Adriatic water masses and circulation regimes. The analyses showed that bacterial abundance and production were controlled by different water mass dynamics during 1997-2001 compared to 2002-2006 period, particularly noticeable in different seasonal patterns of biological parameters. The interplay between North Adriatic Dense Water (NAdDW) and Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) resulted in a change in the available nutrients (NAdDW is poor in orthophosphates), and as a consequence different bacterial abundance and production. A few periods were examined in detail, such as 2004, when LIW inflow was particularly strong and was accompanied by an increase of bacterial and HNF abundances, as well as of bacterial production.     

Factors affecting the distribution of benthic macrofauna in estuaries contaminated by urban runoff

Contaminants derived from urban runoff have been shown to accumulate in estuarine sediments, reaching concentrations potentially capable of causing biological effects. Demonstration of effects, however, is difficult due to strong natural environmental gradients and the effects of past or present point-sources of contamination. We used multivariate methods to test two hypotheses relating to the effects of urban-derived contaminants on estuarine benthic communities. First, that patterns of distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in two urbanised estuaries would be different from those in two non-urbanised estuaries. Second, that the distributions of benthic invertebrates within and among the four estuaries would be related to those of urban-derived contaminants. Concentrations of contaminants were larger in estuaries with urbanised catchments and concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and DDT in some samples exceeded those at which biological effects may be expected to appear. Tests of differences in composition of benthic communities among estuaries showed that the two urban estuaries were not significantly different, but that they differed from both rural estuaries, which also differed from each other. Distributions of benthic invertebrates were significantly related to those of environmental variables, and were ordinated along axes that correlated with both natural environmental variables (nature of the sediment, position in estuary) and contaminants. Differences in faunas between the urban and non-urban estuaries were not, however, clear-cut and nor were relationships between faunal assemblages and environmental variables (including contaminants) consistent between two times of sampling.     

Diurnal changes in bacterial communities in oxic surface and hypoxic middle seawater layers of the Changjiang River Estuary

The Changjiang River Estuary(CRE) in the East China Sea suffers from seasonal hypoxia in summer. The vertical distributions and seasonal changes of microbial communities in the CRE were well documented. However, little is known about the diurnal changes of bacterial communities in the hypoxic zone of the CRE. Here, 16 S rRNA gene analysis was used to explore the changes of bacterial communities in the oxic surface and hypoxic middle seawater layers during 24 h in the CRE. Significant differences between the hypoxic and oxic layers were observed:the phyla Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Acidimicrobiia were enriched in the oxic layer, whereas the phylum SAR406 and the class Deltaproteobacteria were more abundant in the hypoxic layer. In addition, some subtle diurnal variations of the bacterial relative abundance were found in both two layers. The relative abundance of Synechococcus increased at night, and this change was more obvious in the hypoxic layer. The similar trend was also found in some phototrophic and several heterotrophic bacteria, such as Rhodobacteraceae, OM60 and Flavobacteriaceae. Their relative abundances peaked at 16:00 in the oxic layer, while the relative abundances peaked at around 7:00 and decreased until 13:00 in the hypoxic layer. Together, the results of the present study suggest that some photosynthetic bacteria and several heterotrophic bacteria have similar diurnal variations implying the light and physicochemical heterogeneity in the course of a day are important for bacterial diurnal changes in the CRE.