Birds, seals and the suspension culture of mussels in Bantry Bay, a non-seaduck area in Southwest Ireland

Concerns about the environmental impacts of mariculture have grown in recent years in response to the rapid expansion of the industry. The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) is the main product of shellfish mariculture in the Northeast Atlantic and Baltic Sea, with approximately one third of the harvest cultured using suspended longlines within sheltered marine areas. The main aim of this study was to examine the interactions, and assess the impacts (if any) of mussel suspension culture on the seabird and seal community, employing a simultaneous study of culture and control sites. The study spanned a 20-month period (from November 2001 to August 2003) and encompassed six sites in Bantry Bay (Southwest Ireland).There was no significant difference in species richness between mussel and control sites. Similarly, species diversity did not significantly differ between the mussel and control sites although control sites were generally more diverse than mussel sites, the latter particularly dominated by large numbers of Laridae.Significantly higher numbers of Phalacrocoracidae, Laridae and Alcidae were recorded in mussel sites than in control sites. However, no significant difference was found between Gaviidae or common seal (Phoca vitulina) numbers in mussel and control sites. Seasonal patterns of abundance were similar in mussel and control sites, with peak numbers of most species groups occurring in spring.Mussel suspension culture does not appear to have an adverse effect on the abundance of seabirds or common seals in this area. The safe perching platforms provided by suspension culture floats, combined with a number of other factors, contribute to an increased abundance of a number of seabird species, particularly Laridae. The possible interactions between vertebrate predators and mussel suspension aquaculture are discussed and possible explanations for the increased seabird abundance observed in these areas are offered.     

三沙湾西北部滨海湿地潮间带生物生态研究

本文报道三沙湾西北部滨海湿地潮间带生物109种,其中多毛类、软体动物和甲壳动物占总种数的89.90%,三者构成潮间带生物主要类群.断面间比较,Sch1断面的种数最少（42种）,Sch3断面的种数最多（73种）.种类季节变化,以春季种数（83种）大于秋季（59种）.三沙湾西北部滨海湿地潮间带生物平均生物量12.45g/m^2,平均栖息密度为368个/m^2.生物量以软体动物居第一位（7.34g/m^2）,甲壳动物居第二位（2.55g/m^2）;栖息密度以软体动物居第一位（196个/m^2）,多毛类居第二位（154个/m^2）.数量垂直分布,生物量以中潮区（15.20g/m^2）大于高潮区（12.37g/m^2）大于低潮区（9.78g/m^2）;栖息密度以低潮区（563个/m^2）大于中潮区（483个/m^2）大于高潮区（56个/m^2）.数量季节变化,生物量以春季（16.69g/m^2）大于秋季（8.21g/m^2）;栖息密度以春季（677个/m2）大于秋季（58个/m^2）.三沙湾西北部滨海湿地潮间带生物按断面和所处的位置可分为3个群落：Sch1泥沙滩群落,高潮区：黑口滨螺-粗糙滨螺带;中潮区：中蚓虫-鸭嘴蛤-秀丽长方蟹带;低潮区：似蛰虫-焦河篮蛤-鸭嘴蛤带.Sch2泥沙滩群落,高潮区：黑口滨螺-粗糙滨螺带;中潮区：才女虫-鸭嘴蛤-淡水泥蟹带;低潮区：似蛰虫-侧底理蛤-鸭嘴蛤带.Sch3泥沙滩群落,高潮区：黑口滨螺-粗糙滨螺带;中潮区：才女虫-鸭嘴蛤-短拟沼螺-弧边招潮带;低潮区：不倒翁虫-侧底理蛤-齿腕拟盲蟹带.结果分析表明：春季Sch1和Sch2群落不稳定,秋季Sch1、Sch2群落和Sch3群落相对稳定,总体显示,三沙湾西北部滨海湿地潮间带生物群落发生扰动,初步分析认为与优势种鸭嘴蛤和优势种才女虫季节演替有关.     

A 15-month study of zooplankton ingestion by farmed mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Bantry Bay, Southwest Ireland

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that bivalve molluscs routinely ingest zooplankton. To elucidate further these observations, a 15-month study of zooplankton ingestion by farmed mussels was conducted using mussel long-lines in Bantry Bay, Ireland. Stomach content analysis of the mussels showed that there was evidence of zooplankton ingestion throughout the sampling period, but that highest mean numbers of zooplankters were ingested by mussels in the spring and summer months. Various zooplankton species were present in mussel stomachs. Harpacticoid copepods were found more often in stomach contents than calanoid copepods, probably due to their proximity to the bivalves' inhalent siphons. Barnacle cyprids featured in large numbers in stomach contents, but only for a period of 3 months which broadly corresponded with their pelagic phase. Sizes of ingested zooplankton ranged from 126 μm to 6 mm, but more of the smaller zooplankters (e.g. crustacean nauplii) were ingested. When lengths of ingested copepods were compared with those found in plankton net samples, it was found that the net-sampled copepods were significantly larger than those found in mussel stomachs, suggesting that mussels select for smaller categories within the zooplankton available to them. Soft bodied zooplankton was rarely found in mussel stomachs but their absence may be due to rapid digestion or they may have been destroyed in the preservation process. Ingestion of zooplankton by bivalves is discussed in the context of the impacts mussel farms have on resident zooplankton populations.     

胶州湾红石崖潮间带大型底栖动物群落生态学研究

根据2003年8月至2004年5月(夏、秋、冬、春季)4个季度月,对位于胶州湾内红石崖潮间带的高潮带(H1站)、中潮带(H2站)、和低潮带(H3站)所设的3个站进行了综合生态调查并分析所获的资料。结果表明,红石崖潮间带大型底栖动物的总平均栖息密度、总平均生物量和总种数分别为718.67个/m2、123.21g/m2和62种。平均密度、平均生物量和种数在高潮带分别是1765.5个/m2、342.53g/m2和12种;中潮带分别是248个/m2、11.31g/m2和35种;低潮带分别是142.5个/m2、15.74g/m2和44种。3个潮带的平均密度(D):大小顺序为DH1>DH2>DH3,平均生物量(B):BH1>BH3>BH2;种数(S):SH3>SH2>SH1。定性采集在3个潮区共采到大型底栖动物44种,其中有27种在定量采集中没采到,3个潮带共采到大型底栖动物89种。     

Effects of the MV Rena oil spill on intertidal rocky reefs in the Bay of Plenty,New Zealand

In the weeks following the 2011 Rena oil spill, a series of surveys was initiated on eight rocky intertidal reefs to describe the distribution of oil and to assess the impacts of oil on ecological communities. Consistent but relatively low cover of oil occurred at two sites (Mt Maunganui and Moturiki). The area covered by oil had decreased by c. 90% after 5 months due to natural weathering processes. There were immediate effects of oil fouling on the mussel Limnoperna pulex and its associated fauna, with reductions in the number of mussels and infaunal taxonomic richness. However, no ecological effects on any of the communities were detectable after 1 month. Overall, the ecological effects of the Rena oil spill on rocky shore intertidal communities were small and not long-lasting, but we stress that this does not consider potential sublethal effects and their consequences on organisms.     

Enoplus taipingensis, a new species of marine nematode from the rocky intertidal seaweeds in the Taiping Bay, Qingdao

One new species of free-living marine nematodes Enoplus taipingensis sp.nov.from the rocky intertidal seaweeds in the Taiping Bay,Qingdao is described and illustrated with scanning electron microscopy observation and 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis.Enoplus taipingensis is characterized by special arrangement of lateral setae on the tail,three cervical setae,distal structure on the supplement,and much longer body length with bigger De Man ratio "a".Type specimens are deposited in the College of Marine Life Science,Ocean University of China.     

青岛湾潮间带沉积物中叶绿素的分析

为了解潮间带沉积物中底栖微藻的现存状况，于2003年10月至2004年4月，分4次测定分析了青岛湾潮间带沉积物中的叶绿素a和脱镁叶绿酸含量。结果表明，0-2cm层沉积物中叶绿素a的含量在1．73-5．71μg/g，脱镁叶绿酸含量在0．02-1．89μg／g，2-5cm层沉积物中叶绿素a的含量在0．51-4．32μg/g，脱镁叶绿酸含量在0．12-1．58μg/g。随深度增加，叶绿素含量减少；叶绿素a是主要存在形式，脱镁叶绿酸含量占叶绿素a含量的10％-75％；同时分析了水质和沉积物粒度对叶绿素含量的影响，结果表明叶绿素的含量和组成比例与水质有关；粒度越细的沉积物，叶绿素含量较高而且稳定。     

Changes in a rocky shore community: An evaluation of monitoring

The basic aim of this study was to record the changes in the communities on a moderately exposed rocky shore by a programme of repeated non-destructive sampling (‘monitoring’) and to determine the causes of these changes. Possible causative factors were investigated by the combined approach of analysing detailed sea-temperature and meteorological data for the period of the study and establishing manipulative field experiments.Fixed quadrats (2 m by 1 m) at three levels were visited at 6–8 weekly intervals for 30 months and the abundance and spatial pattern of major species assessed. In the ‘High’ quadrat the balance between Fucus spiralis and F. vesiculosus changed, and an outburst of ephemeral algae occurred following a decline in overall canopy cover. In the ‘Mid’ quadrat F. vesiculosus decreased considerably from its initial cover and virtually disappeared by the end of the study. In the ‘Low’ quadrat F. vesiculosus increased from being absent to comprising 20% of the canopy, whilst Semmibalanus (= Balanus) balanoides and ‘understorey’ algae decreased in cover. Actinia equina, Nucella lapillus and Patella vulgata showed marked changes in number at all levels where they occurred.Only certain of these changes could be attributed to the physical environment—most were biologically controlled. For example, manipulative experiments showed that the blooms of ephemeral algae and the decline of Patella in the high-shore quadrat, and the decline of Actinia in the mid-shore quadrat, were due to decreases in the fucoid canopy. These canopy changes were, in turn, the result of biological cycles which are characteristic of these communities. However, even with the support of manipulative experiments, it was not possible to account for (or predict) all of the observed natural changes. The extent of these fluctuations poses a serious obstacle to the recognition of any but very gross pollution-induced effects. The conclusion must be that the monitoring of rocky shores as a means of detecting and measuring pollution is likely to be an unproductive investment of time and resources.     

Biofilm: A crucial factor affecting the settlement of seaweed on intertidal rocky surfaces

We hypothesized that the presence of biofilm accelerated the settlement of dominant seaweed species and maintained high levels of species richness by regulating the blooming of particular species on an intertidal rocky shore. The coverage and species richness of macroalgae on sterile and cleared substrates (225 cm²) were measured to investigate the effects of biofilm on the settlement of macroalgae in intertidal zones at Noryang, Songmoon, and Sangnam in Gawngyang Bay on the southern coast of the Korean peninsula. Green algae coverage on cleared substrates was significantly higher than that on sterile substrates at both Noryang and Songmoon during the study period. This suggests that the presence of biofilm enhances the settlement of green algae by providing various habitat structures and, consequently, may lead to serious ‘green tide’ events. However, the coverage of algae other than green algae and algal species richness on cleared substrates remained high at Sangnam during the experimental period. Biofilm facilitated the settlement of macroalgae and inhibited the blooming of specific algae by inducing inter-specific space competition. Therefore, biofilm plays an important role on seaweed assemblages on intertidal rocky shores by accelerating the settlement of seaweed.     

厦门岛岩相潮间带生物种类组成与数量分布

本文报道了厦门岛岩相潮间带生物２７６种，其中藻类、软体动物和其他动物占总数的６５．２１％，夏季和冬季平均生物量为１３６５．０９ｇ／ｍ＾２，平均栖息密度为３１１０个／ｍ＾２。生物量以甲壳动物居首位，软体运动居第二位；栖息密度以本动物居首位，甲壳动物占第二位。     

广东碣石湾污损生物生态研究

2008年5月至2009年4月,对广东碣石湾海域进行周年污损生物挂板试验,本次调查共记录该海域污损生物86种,多属于亚热带沿岸的广布种,其中优势种为网纹纹藤壶(Amphibalanus reticulatus)、翡翠股贻贝(Perna viridis)、太平洋侧花海葵(Anthopleurapacifica)、水云(E...     

大亚湾生态监控区的浮游植物年际变化

依据国家海洋局、国家海洋局第三海洋研究所等权威机构2004~2007年所获的数据和资料,对大亚湾生态监控区近4a长时间尺度的浮游植物群落年际变化进行分析,通过物种组成、丰度变化、优势类群演替、群落结构及赤潮灾害事件来反映生境的退化,探讨其变化的主要原因及趋势。结果表明,浮游植物群落由暖水种占绝对优势转变为广温广布种占主导地位。种类与丰度呈逐年下降的态势,浮游植物丰度的分布保持西高东低,近岸高于远岸的特征,浮游植物的高丰度与营养盐丰富及温排水有关。终年以硅藻为优势种群,优势种演替具有明显的季节与年际变化,细长翼根管藻(Rhizosolenia alataf.gracillima)是春季稳定的优势种,柔弱拟菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissma)是夏季稳定的优势种,春末甲藻的优势度增加明显。浮游植物群落多样性指数呈逐年下降趋势,均匀度呈逐年上升态势。浮游植物的异常增殖及过度集中导致多样性较低,种间比例不均匀,群落结构单一。赤潮季节性发生频繁,发生频率及引发种类呈上升趋势,海洋环境脆弱。     

Differential response of benthic macrofauna to the formation of novel oyster reefs (Crassostrea gigas,Thunberg) on soft and rocky substrate in the intertidal of the Bay of Brest,France

When the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas, Thunberg) was introduced into France for aquaculture in the mid-sixties, it was initially confined to the sites where it was farmed. Subsequent global warming most likely facilitated the establishment of wild populations throughout the French coastline. This phenomenon of spread has become so great that oyster reefs have recently appeared in sheltered estuaries, on both soft and hard substrate. The present study examined two such sites in the Bay of Brest, Brittany. It is the first to investigate the impacts of this new substrate on the biocoenosis of uncolonised intertidal habitats in France. Increased species richness and abundance of intertidal macrofauna were observed in the presence of oyster reefs on both, mud (4 and 20 fold respectively) and rock (5 fold for both). The dominance of suspension feeders in mud changed to carnivores in reefs and their underlying sediment. Calculation of biotic coefficients (BC) of the soft-bottom fauna revealed only a slight organic enrichment, and the organic and silt composition in the sediment beneath oyster reefs were not significantly different from that on bare sites. On rock, the dominance of grazers remained unchanged between bare rock and oyster reef, while reef on rock was also characterised by deposit and detritic feeders. C. gigas is suspected to cause a homogenisation of coastal habitats with an impoverishment of overall quality but we detected only 11 common species between reefs on mud (60 species) and those on rock (55 species).     

海州湾潮间带大型底栖动物的分布特征

于2002年6月对海州湾3种底质的潮间带底栖动物进行了采样分析.结果显示,该区被鉴定出的大型底栖动物共有98种,其中多毛类为13种、软体动物为53种、甲壳类为25种、棘皮动物为2种、其它类动物为5种,软体动物和甲壳类的种类可占80%;该区潮间带大型底栖动物的平均生物量和平均栖息密度分别为257.30 g/m2和953个/m2,软体动物生物量(201.19 g/m2)和栖息密度(727 个/m2)分别占总数的78%和76%.经底栖动物种类相似性聚类分析和多维尺度排序,可将该区潮间带大型底栖动物划分为岩礁、沙滩和泥沙滩3个群落.通过对3个底栖动物群落的生态特征及相关环境因子分析得出:对于种类,泥沙滩群落 > 岩礁群落 > 沙滩群落;对于生物量、息栖密度、多样性指数和均匀度指数,岩礁群落 > 泥沙滩群落 > 沙滩群落;泥沙滩群落中的TE断面优势种分布显著而使多样性指数和均匀度指数明显低于其它两条泥沙滩断面.沙滩群落和岩礁群落的底栖动物分布分别与海水浴场和货运码头较多的人为活动影响有关,而泥沙滩群落的分布差异主要与海岸开敞度、海流潮汐作用、滩涂贝类养殖及优势种分布影响有关.泥沙滩是该区经济贝类的重要养殖场所,为使养殖种类健康生长,建议对沿岸排污口水质及养殖区沉积物环境质量进行定期监测.     

浙江苍南无居民海岛岩相潮间带生物群落多样性研究

为了解浙江苍南海域无居民海岛岩相潮间带生物群落组成与结构,于2019年3月对该海域内11个无居民海岛进行了潮间带生物调查,对采集到的样品进行鉴定,并计算了栖息密度、生物量和生物多样性指数。11个无居民海岛共鉴定出58种潮间带生物,平均栖息密度和平均生物量分别为857±205 ind/m2和2 847.83±1 032.50 g/m2,各断面的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H′、Pielou均匀度指数J和Margalef丰富度指数D范围分别为1.07~1.61, 0.66~0.83和0.54~1.30。与大陆沿岸潮间带相比,无居民海岛生态系统独特,拥有更多的生物资源,具有重要的生态价值,需要重视并加强保护。     

A holistic approach to the exploitation of intertidal stocks: limpets as a case study

The potential ecological consequences of commercially exploiting the limpets Patella argenvillei and P. granatina on the west coast of South Africa were investigated. Standing stocks were quantified and population parameters (growth, mortality and recruitment) determined for both species. These data were used to derive empirical estimates of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for P. granatina and P. argenvillei (7,4 and 1,5 tons wet foot mass respectively). The population parameters were also used in the development of a length-based simulation model to provide a second estimate of MSY for P. granatina (up to 12,9 tons). Small-scale experimental harvesting showed that both species recovered extremely slowly if all limpets were removed (total clearance). When the harvest was size-selective (partial clearance), with P. granatina >60 mm and P. argenvillei >75 mm being removed, P. granatina failed to recover after 13 months but P. argenvillei recovered within 15 months. Partial and total clearance led to enhanced growth and survival of the remaining limpets. Partial clearance of P. granatina had no effect on other species in the community, but partial and total removal of P. argenvillei resulted in increased cover of sessile filter-feeders and macroalgae as well as a decrease in the cover of encrusting coralline algae. It is concluded that the potential exists for the development of an economically viable and ecologically sustainable fishery. Empirically derived quotas and minimum size limits of 60 mm for P. granatina and 75 mm for P. argenvillei are suggested as the chief mechanisms for regulating a potential fishery. The need for a holistic approach to the management of living (particularly intertidal) resources is stressed.     

Spatial variability of intertidal rocky shore assemblages in the northwest coast of Portugal

The spatial variability of rocky shore assemblages of the northwest Portuguese coast was studied in a total of 12 transects, visited twice between March and August 2003. Each transect was positioned from the upper to the lower shore and four replicate samples (50 × 50 cm) were taken at each visually identified assemblage. Multivariate analysis was used to test the null hypothesis of no significant differences among assemblages located on different heights along the transect and among assemblages located at the same height on different transects. The distribution pattern of organisms along the height was not consistent across transects and significant variability could be found in assemblages located at the same height on the shore. Globally, the variability from the lower to the upper shore (vertical axis) was larger than from transect to transect (horizontal axis) but the distribution pattern along height was clearer in sheltered transects than in exposed ones. The heterogeneity in composition between the visually identified assemblages, within the same transect, was, however, the major source of variability in the study area. In the rocky intertidal northwest coast of Portugal, where tidal amplitude is broad and extremely wave-exposed sites are scarce, height above chart datum was the most important factor determining the distribution and species composition of the assemblages. However, variability along the horizontal axis was also significant and should be considered in studies of spatial patterns of distribution of organisms within this area.     

泉州湾蟳埔潮间带大型底栖动物功能群研究

为了比较不同生境的大型底栖动物功能群,根据在泉州湾蟳埔潮间带3种生境类型获得的大型底栖动物数据进行了分析。2011年4月-至2012年1月在泉州湾蟳埔潮间带获得大型底栖动物101种,其中浮游生物食者(Pl)、植食者(Ph)、肉食者(C)、杂食者(O)和碎屑食者(D)物种数分别为21种、18种、21种、26种和15种。光滩(沙滩)、互花米草和牡蛎石三种生境大型底栖动物物种数、平均栖息密度、平均生物量、多样性指数的优势功能群多样化,表明泉州湾蟳埔潮间带大型底栖动物功能群的复杂化和多样化,这种特征是潮汐、生境、底质粒径等环境因子共同作用的结果。潮汐导致潮间带的空间异质性(沉积物粒径的差异),空间异质性导致大型底栖动物功能群组成的差异。互花米草、牡蛎石构成了多种小生境,有利于众多大型底栖动物的栖息。还讨论了大型底栖动物物种鉴定水平和功能群划分标准不同对功能群研究结果的影响。     

兴化湾大型底栖生物生态研究

兴化湾大型底栖生物已鉴定有314种,平均生物量为36.60g/m2,平均栖息密度为162个/m2.按Bray-Curtis相似性指数和多维排序尺度可划分为4个群落.应用丰度生物量比较法(ABC)和种类个体几何级数显示群落结构相对稳定.     

2004-2015年夏季渤海湾生态监控区网采浮游植物变化研究

基于2004-2015年12年的夏季渤海湾生态监控区浮游植物网样数据,开展浮游植物群落及96种定种的多年变化研究。结果表明:12年共鉴定出5门120种,硅藻占绝对优势,甲藻次之,赤潮生物种类占定种的59%;各年份物种数变化范围为23~61种,年平均细胞丰度范围为（7~87 731）×104个/m3,物种多样性指数范围为1.13~3.04,丰富度指数范围0.36~1.12,均匀度指数范围0.31~0.72;12年中生物种类数、细胞丰度总体呈上升趋势,多样性指数、丰富度指数在波动中呈上升趋势,均匀度指数呈略有下降趋势;样品中几乎每年都出现的物种有10种,只检出1年的物种有23种;站位检出率不小于50%的物种只有4种,小于0.01%的有57种;星脐圆筛藻（Coscinodiscus asteromphalus）、中肋骨条藻（Skeletonema costatum）、格氏圆筛藻（Coscinodiscus granii）、叉角藻（Ceratium furca）和旋链角毛藻（Chaetoceros curvisetus）为该区域的优势种;近5年细胞丰度水平普遍比2010年前高,格氏圆筛藻（C.granii）、中肋骨条藻（S.costatum）、夜光藻（Noctiluca scintillans）等10种常见种密度呈增长趋势,较常见种长菱形藻（Nitzschia longissima）、星脐圆筛藻（C.asteromphalus）和北方角毛藻（Chaetoceros borealis）多年呈下降趋势。本研究有助于掌握该区域浮游植物物种的本底情况及演变趋势。