Influence of a breakwater on nearby rocky intertidal community structure

It is widely recognised that coastal-defence structures generally affect the structure of the assemblages they support, yet their impact on adjacent systems has been largely ignored. Breakwaters modify the nearby physical environment (e.g. wave action) suggesting a local impact on biological parameters. In the present study, an ACI (After-Control-Impact) design was used to test the general hypothesis that the artificial sheltering of an exposed coast has a strong effect on the structure and functioning of adjacent systems. The effects of a reduction in hydrodynamics were clear for a number of taxa and included the replacement of barnacles, limpets and frondose algae by an increasing cover of ephemeral algae. These effects were evident both at early and late successional stages. Results suggest that the artificial sheltering of naturally exposed coasts can have a strong impact promoting a shift from consumer- to producer-dominated communities, which has important ecological and energetic consequences for the ecosystem.     

北麂列岛岩相潮间带无脊椎动物的群落结构

利用 1 997年 7月～ 1 998年 4月在北麂列岛壳菜岙北侧岩礁、海利南岙岙口岩礁、关帝山岩礁及大筲箕屿岩礁 4个断面所采集的样品 ,对北麂列岛岩相潮间带无脊椎动物的群落类型及结构进行了研究。采用 Shannon- Wiener多样性指数 (H′)、Pielous均匀度 (J)、Margalef丰度 (d)、 Mc Naunghton优势度 (D) 4个测定群落种类多样性的指标及 Whittaker群落相似性指数公式进行数值分析 ,结果表明 :该群落属于典型的外海高盐性生物群落。水平变化 ,H′、J及 d值以大筲箕屿岩礁处为最大 ,D值以关帝山岩礁处为最大 ;垂直变化 ,H′、J及 d值为低潮区 >中潮区 >高潮区 ,D值为高潮区 >中潮区 >低潮区 ;季节变化 ,H′和 J值以春季最高、秋季最低 ,d值以夏季最高、冬季最低 ,D值以秋季最高、春季最低。 4个断面群落种类的相似程度较为接近 ,根据相似性指数 I的值 ,可将其划分为开敞性群落组和极开敞性群落组 ,其中壳菜岙北侧岩礁、海利南岙岙口岩礁和大筲箕屿岩礁为开敞性群落组 ,关帝山岩礁为极开敞性群落组     

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。     

舟山岩相潮间带动物群落结构的研究

本文应用数理统计方法研究了舟山海区岩岸潮间带中26个测站的春季动物群落结构。根据26个站的位置分为近岸区、近外海区和外海区3个区域。各站均以软体动物和甲壳动物为群落主要组成成分,群落种类组成数从近岸到外海呈增长趋势,且优势种亦从低盐种类向高盐种类演替。近岸区群落主要优势种为短滨螺Littorina brevicula、粗糙滨螺L.scabra、僧帽牡蛎Ostrea cucullata、白脊藤壶Balanus albicostatus等;近外海区为短滨螺、粒结节滨螺Nodilittorinaexigua、僧帽牡蛎、鳞笠藤壶Tetraclita squamosa squamosa、白脊藤壶等;外海区为粒结节滨螺,疣荔枝螺Purpura clavigera、条纹隔贻贝Septifer virgatus、日本笠藤壶T.japonica及藻类等。但群落个体密度和生物量从近岸到外海呈减少趋势。从近岸到外海,群落的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H和Pielou均匀度J均增加,而McNaughton优势度D减少。群落结构从近岸到外海渐趋复杂。但整体上,舟山海区岩岸春季动物群落结构是比较简单的(绝大多数断面H值小于2.50,J值小于0.5。而D值大于0.6)。近外海区的群落结构比较相似于外海区的群落。根据平均聚类分析,这26个群落可以分为三个生态类型,即隐蔽性岩岸群落,半隐蔽性岩岸群落及开敞性岩岸群落。     

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.     

厦门港岩石岸潮间带软体动物的生态

本文根据１９８２年２月至１９８３年２月在厦门港岩石岩潮间带采集的软体动物，论述了其种类组成，数量分布，生活型及影响软件动物分布的主要环境因子，厦门港岩石岸潮间带共发现软动物５４种。其中，多板类６种，腹足类３３种，双壳类１５种，优势种有僧帽牡蛎，黑荞麦蛤，复瓦小蛇螺，粗糙滨螺等。与６０年代初调查结果比较得出，厦门港岩石岸潮间带的软体动物群落是相对稳定的，潮汐是决定河口结果比较得出，厦门港岩石岩潮间带     

Human exclusion from rocky shores in a mediterranean marine protected area (MPA): an opportunity to investigate the effects of trampling

The effect of human trampling on the abundance of small invertebrates inhabiting rocky shallow bottoms was studied at Asinara Island MPA. To this aim we have conducted two experiments. The first was a quantitative study and tested the hypothesis that small invertebrates are more abundant at no-entry locations than at the location visited by tourists through time (before, during and after tourist season). The second was a manipulative experiment and tested the hypothesis that the abundance of small invertebrates is indirectly related to experimental trampling intensities. The effect due to tourist visitation was not highlighted on overall assemblages, suggesting that present seasonal tourist load at the MPA does not cause a significantly negative effect on the zoobenthic community studied. Although tourists exhibited trampling activity at the visited location, none of taxa examined showed a significant lower abundance during and strictly after the end of seasonal tourism peak in the visited location, rather than at control locations. However, results obtained with the second experiment suggested that the effects of different experimental trampling intensities on small invertebrates were variable among taxa. The experimental trampling caused immediate declines in the density of tanaids, nematodes, acari, bivalves, gammarids, echinoderms, isopods, and harpacticoids. For some of these taxa a recovery in abundance was observed within one month. This kind of data may offer important information to estimate the number of visitors compatible with the sensitivity of zoobenthic assemblages, and may substantially contribute to appropriate MPA management.     

南麂列岛岩相潮间带多毛类生态初步研究

为了解南麂列岛国家海洋自然保护区岩礁相潮间带多毛类的生态现状和功能,于2012年5月(春季)、8月(夏季)、11月(秋季)和2013年2月(冬季)在保护区内进行了4次底栖生物调查,对采集的多毛类样品进行鉴定,并依此计算丰度、生物量和相关生物多样性指数。四季共采集到多毛类85种,春季多毛类平均丰度和平均生物量分别为492个/m2和39.50 g/m2,夏季为895个/m2和20.95 g/m2,秋季为639个/m2和16.51 g/m2,冬季为511个/m2和9.04 g/m2。各断面的物种多样性指数为2.950~4.864,均匀度指数为0.922~0.990,种类丰富度指数为2.486~7.087。最后通过分析发现,潮汐、季节变化和人类活动等因素不同程度地影响了多毛类在岩相潮间带的空间分布及群落特征。     

厦门港岩相潮间带多毛类的生态

本文根据１９８７年２、５、８、１１月调查资料，研究了厦门港岩相潮间带多毛类的种类组成、种类与数量的垂直分布、季节变化，并与大亚湾多毛类生态进行比较。结果表明，调查区域有多毛类４７种。平均栖息密度６０个／ｍ＾２，平均生物量１．７８ｇ／ｍ＾２，潮汐作用影响多毛类的种数、密度、生物量的垂直分布。多毛类数量的季节变化不甚明显，但冬季的栖息密度和春季的生物量较高。     

Limited impact of Sargassum muticum on native algal assemblages from rocky intertidal shores

Invasive species represent a serious threat to natural ecosystems through a range of negative effects on native species in the region invaded. The invasive species Sargassum muticum has invaded several temperate regions worldwide including the Galician rocky shoreline (northwestern Spain) in Western Europe. The main aim of this study was to assess if colonization by S. muticum has any effect on native algal assemblages by experimental removal of S. muticum. We predicted that in those plots where S. muticum plants were removed, the structure of native algal assemblages would differ from that in plots where S. muticum plants were untouched. In addition, we predicted that the effect of Sargassum removal would be more important than other causes of variability at the small scale investigated. Results indicated limited impact of S. muticum on native assemblages. The impact was only evident on the total number of native taxa and two understory morpho-functional groups, filamentous and foliose algae, rather than on the entire macroalgal assemblages.     

The amphipod Talitrus saltator as a bioindicator of human trampling on sandy beaches

The present paper assesses the use of the supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator as a bioindicator of the effects of human trampling on the supralittoral sandy band. Samplings in delimited areas were carried out at sites subjected to different human impact. The results showed a strong negative correlation between the number of swimmers and the sandhopper population density, while there was no clear relationship between sandhopper abundance and the other factors considered: granulometry, compactness and organic carbon content of the sand, and trace metal contents in the sand and sandhoppers. A field test of trampling conducted in a confined space showed its direct negative effect on sandhopper survival. However, trace metal analysis confirmed the ability of T. saltator to bioaccumulate some elements (Hg, Zn, Cu, Cd). Our study demonstrates that T. saltator is a good bioindicator of human impact in the supralittoral zone of sandy shores.     

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。     

Depth-stratified community zonation patterns on Gulf of Alaska rocky shores

Vertical zonation patterns have been considered ubiquitous in intertidal ecosystems but questions remain about their generality for individual taxonomic groups and over broad spatial scales, and whether they continue into adjacent shallow subtidal habitats. Taxon richness, invertebrate abundance, and macroalgal biomass were examined in the summer of 2003 along a vertical gradient in the rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats around Kodiak Island, Kachemak Bay, and Prince William Sound, all within the Gulf of Alaska. Replicate samples of benthic organisms were taken in the high (～ 7 m), mid (～ 4 m) and low (～ 0 m) intertidal (relative to MLLW), and at 1, 5, 10 and 15 m water depths at three sites in each region, and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Our primary goals were to assess (1) how estimates of taxon richness, invertebrate abundance, and macroalgal biomass vary among intertidal heights and subtidal depths and (2) how general these patterns are when considered across the Gulf of Alaska. Our results show that when all invertebrates were considered together, most of the variation in taxon richness was accounted for by differences among depths (i.e. intertidal heights and subtidal depths) (～ 51%), and among replicate samples within each depth (～ 26%). Little to none of the variation was accounted for by differences among sites within each region (～ 1%) or among regions themselves (～ 0%). When considered across the Gulf of Alaska, total taxon richness and organism abundance were greatest in the low intertidal/shallow subtidal and decreased with increasing height/depth. When separated by phylum and examined together with macroalgae, variation in abundance and/or biomass among depths was significant and accounted for most of the variability. Differences among regions and sites within each region were not significant and accounted for little to none of the variance. Because the pattern of zonation varied among sites within each region, it reduced the generality of a single zonation pattern for the Gulf of Alaska. Likewise, when community composition was compared among depths, geographic regions and sites within each region using multivariate analyses, vertical zonation patterns were evident at a regional scale, but high variability in these patterns among sites within each region reduced the generality of these patterns.     

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.     

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.     

The effect of life-history variation on the population size structure of a rocky intertidal snail (Littorina sitkana)

On wave-sheltered shores of the northeastern Pacific, the population size structure of Littorina sitkana varies with intertidal height, as larger snails are mostly found only in the upper intertidal. This pattern has been attributed to high predation rates by crabs (and perhaps fish) on large snails inhabiting low-intertidal areas; i.e., large snails are presumed to be rare there simply because predators kill them. In this study we investigate the hypothesis that predation contributes to the shore-level size gradient displayed by L. sitkana by selecting for (or inducing) earlier sexual maturation and reduced somatic growth in low-shore snails relative to high-shore individuals.In the first part of our study, we carried out laboratory dissections, field experiments (mark-release-recapture and caging), and field surveys on a wave-protected shore in Bamfield Inlet, Barkley Sound (British Columbia, Canada). The principal results were: (1) adult survivorship was greater at higher, than at lower, intertidal level, (2) snails displayed a preference for their shore level of origin, (3) immature adults from the high intertidal displayed greater rates of somatic growth relative to immature adults from the low intertidal, and (4) low-shore snails matured at a smaller size than high-shore individuals. In the second part of the study, a large-scale survey showed intra-specific variation in size at sexual maturity (point 4 above) to be relatively consistent over time (winter of 1999 and 2001 for snails from our main study site) and space (13 different sites in winter 2001), although the magnitude of these differences varied greatly from shore to shore.Our results indicate that L. sitkana individuals inhabiting upper and lower parts of their intertidal range allocate resources differently to somatic and gonadal growth, an intra-specific difference that is best interpreted as a response to spatial and size-dependent variation in predation pressure. Taken together, results of this and other recent studies indicate that phenotypic responses to contrasting selection pressures operating in upper- and lower-intertidal areas contribute to the intertidal size gradient of L. sitkana. We believe that greater consideration of evolutionary processes in ecological studies will lead to a more complete understanding of the mechanisms responsible for structuring marine coastal communities.     

Phylogeography of the rocky intertidal periwinkle Echinolittorina paytensis through a biogeographic transition zone in the Southeastern Pacific

Barriers to dispersal are recognized to play an important role in the differentiation of populations and ultimately in speciation. In the southeast Pacific, on the northern coast of Peru, a transition zone between the Peruvian and Panamic marine biogeographic provinces exists. Here, the convergence between two contrasting surface currents could generate a barrier effect for the larval dispersal of meroplanktonic invertebrates, which could in turn generate differentiated populations or genetic lineages on both sides of the transition zone. To address this, we studied to Echinolittorina paytensis, an abundant rocky intertidal periwinkle that spans both biogeographic provinces. A total of 95 individuals from Ecuador (2°19′S) to central Peru (7°31′S), covering the Panamic Province, the Peruvian Province, and the transition zone between, were collected. The mitochondrial markers cytochrome c oxidase I and 16SrRNA were sequenced in order to investigate phylogeography and genetic structuring. In general, no genetic structuring was found across the transition zone, suggesting this biogeographic boundary would not be acting as a barrier in this species. Factors such as a high larval dispersal capability and the occurrence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation events such as El Niño are discussed.     

北麂列岛岩相潮间带蔓足类的种类及数量分布

根据 1 997年 7月至 1 998年 4月在浙江北麂列岛岩相潮间带采集的样品 ,共鉴定出蔓足类 9种 ,隶属于 5科 7属 ,以东、南海及日本海南部的暖水性种占优势。描述了蔓足类的种类组成、数量分布和季节变化 ,讨论了盐度、潮区和浪击作用对岩相潮间带蔓足类分布的影响。     

福清核电站邻近潮间带大型底栖生物数量分布与群落结构

于2006年2、4、7和10月在福清核电厂运行前对其邻近潮间带不同底质断面的大型底栖生物进行采样,以了解该潮间带大型底栖生物的种类及资源分布.结果表明,该核电站附近潮间带大型底栖生物总共为146种,以多毛类、软体动物和甲壳动物为主.以季节和底质为因素对取样获得物种数进行双因素方差分析显示:种类获得数的季节变化无显著差异,底质间呈边缘性显著.4季的大型底栖生物平均生物量为1 446.11 g/m2、平均栖息密度为972个/m2.大型底栖生物生物量平均值为春季＞夏季＞冬季＞秋季,栖息密度平均值为夏季＞春季＞冬季＞秋季.以季节和底质为因素的双因素方差分析显示:大型底栖生物生物量和栖息密度季节间无显著差异但底质间差异极显著.底质和季节间大型底栖动物的Shannon-Weiner指数、Margalef种类丰度、Pielou均匀度和Simpson优势度指数均无显著差异.利用Bray-Curtis相似性聚类对福清核电站邻近潮间带大型底栖生物进行分析后得出,该潮间带大型底栖生物可划分为两个群落:岩礁群落和泥沙滩群落.分析表明,底质是影响大型底栖生物分布的主要环境因子,季节对大型底栖生物分布的影响不显著.