Litterfall dynamics and nutrient decomposition of arid mangroves in the Gulf of California: Their role sustaining ecosystem heterotrophy

This study shows results on litterfall dynamics and decay in mangrove stands of Avicennia germinans distributed along a latitudinal gradient (three forest sites) in the Gulf of California, in order to assess whether internal sources could support the observed mangrove ecosystem organic deficit in this arid tropic. Total mean annual litterfall production increased southward (712.6 ± 53.3, 1501.3 ± 145.1 and 1506.2 ± 280.5 g DW m⁻² y⁻¹, in the Yaqui, Mayo and Fuerte areas respectively), leaves being the main component of litter in all locations during the entire year, followed by fruits. The wet season (June–September) showed the highest litterfall rates through fruits. The temporal trend of litterfall production was significantly explained through mean air temperature (R² = 68%) whilst total annual litter production in the entire region showed a statistically significant relationship with total soil phosphorus, salinity, total nitrogen, organic matter and tree height (R² = 0.67). Throughout 117 days of the decomposition experiment, the litter lost 50% of its original dry weight in 5.8 days (average decay rate of 0.032 ± 0.04 g DW d⁻¹) and there were not significant differences in the remaining mass after 6 days. The percentage of both C and P released from the litter correlated significantly with the ratio of tidal inundated days to total experiment days (R² = 0.62, p = 0.03 and R² = 0.67, p = 0.02, respectively); however, the frequency of tidal inundation only showed a significant increase in C release from Avicennia litter after 6 and above 48 days of decomposition. Whereas the total C content of litter bags decreased linearly over the decomposition to (% Total C = 5.52 − 0.46 days, R² = 0.81, p = 0.0005), N content displayed an irregular pattern with a significant increase of decay between 48 and 76 days from the beginning of the experiment. The pattern for relative P content of litter revealed reductions of up to 99% of the original (%tot-P = −9.77 to 1.004 days, R² = 0.72, p = 0.01) although most of the P reduction occurred between 17 and 34 days after the experiment started. Soil N and P contents, which exhibited significant differences in the course of the decomposition experiment, appeared to show significant differences between sampling sites, although they were not related to tidal influence, nor by leaf and nutrient leaching. In a global basis, C/N litter ratios decreased linearly (C/N = 32.86 − 0.1006 days, R² = 0.62, p = 0.02), showing a strong and significant correlation with meteorological variables (R² = 0.99, p = 0.01). C/P ratios of litter increased through an exponential function (C/P = 119.35e^0.04day, R² = 0.89, p < 0.001). Changes in the remaining percentage of litter mass during the experiment were significantly correlated with soil C/N ratio (R² = 0.56, p = 0.03) as well as with the soil C/P ratio (R² = 0.98, p < 0.001). Our results of litter decomposition dynamics in this mangrove support the fact of null net primary productivity of the arid mangrove wetlands: fast litter decomposition compensates the ecosystem organic deficit in order to sustain the mangrove productivity. Litter decomposition plays a key role in the ecosystem metabolism in mangroves of arid tropics.     

Nutrient fluxes from deep sediment support nutrient budget in the oligotrophic waters of the Gulf of Aqaba

The role of deep sediment in supporting nutrient budget in the Gulf of Aqaba has been investigated by estimating the flux of inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate. Fluxes were calculated directly by pore water profiles and indirectly by chamber incubations carried out onboard the RV Meteor cruise. The results showed that maximum potential fluxes calculated by chamber incubations were higher than those calculated by porewater profiles for all nutrients (6.4–28.5 fold). This has been attributed to the additional flux due to bioturbation and flux from advective porewater exchange in the case of chamber incubation, while porewater fluxes represent diffusive ones. Using a rough estimation considering flux results in addition to the sediment area and water mass of the Gulf of Aqaba, we estimate that 3.3 × 10⁵, 6.4 × 10⁴ and 6.5 × 10⁶ kg year⁻¹ of inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate respectively are effused from deep sediments to the water column. This quanitity would certainly support the primary productivity in the oligotrophic water in the Gulf of Aqaba.     

福建红树林区4种海藻的营养成分

主要对福建红树林区4种海藻(扁浒苔Enteromorpha compressa,混合卷枝藻Bostrychia mixta,鹧鸪菜Caloglossa leprieurii,节附链藻Catenella impudica)的营养元素和氨基酸含量等进行研究.结果表明:(1)福建红树林区 4种海藻Fe,Mn含量显著高于一般海藻的平均浓度;Ca含量则普遍低于一般海藻的平均浓度;P,K,Mg含量则高于或低于一般海藻的平均浓度;(2)福建红树林区4种海藻总氨基酸含量(TAA)由高到低依次为(干重):扁浒苔265.89mg/g,混合卷枝藻211.96mg/g,鹧鸪菜189.53mg/g,节附链藻111.10mg/g;而必需氨基酸含量(EAA)由高到低依次为:混合卷枝藻87.42mg/g,扁浒苔82.92mg/g,鹧鸪菜73.62mg/g,节附链藻34.41mg/g;(3)在3和6月,对生长在秋茄板状根上和岩石面上的鹧鸪菜营养成分比较,前者的总氨基酸和必需氨基酸含量均大于后者;而元素含量则有不同变化.     

北部湾入海河流营养盐的分布特征及入海通量研究

于2018年2月(枯水期)和8月(丰水期)对南流江、大风江、钦江、茅岭江和防城江等北部湾主要的入海河流开展调查,分析这些河流各形态营养盐的浓度特征及入海通量。结果表明,不同时期营养盐浓度差异较为明显,主要表现为枯水期防城江、茅岭江和钦江的营养盐浓度较丰水期高,而丰水期大风江和南流江的营养盐浓度高于枯水期,表明丰水期大风江和南流江污染较为严重。丰水期,${\rm {NO}}_3^- $是溶解态无机氮的主要成分,但枯水期防城江和大风江${\rm {NH}}_4^+ $比例升高。根据径流量资料和河流营养盐浓度,估算出2018年北部湾入海河流的氮和磷的入海通量分别为1014607 t和47929 t,其中溶解态无机氮占总氮的77%,${\rm {PO}}_4^{3-} $占总磷的40%。丰水期,南流江营养盐入海通量总体较高,其次是大风江,防城江、茅岭江和钦江的营养盐入海通量相对较小。枯水期,受区域污染影响,不同河流营养盐的入海通量变化较大。与历史对比,北部湾河流的营养盐入海通量显著升高,表明河流营养盐输入的升高可能是北部湾近海水体富营养化加重的重要因素。北部湾河流不同时期氮和磷输入量的差异,可能会对北部湾近岸及邻近海域生态系统产生较大影响。     

A study of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems, found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are found in the transitional zones between land, sea, and rivers. Petroleum hydrocarbons are the most common environmental pollutants, and oil spills pose a great hazard to mangroves forests. This research was focused on the isolation and characterization of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove ecosystems at the Persian Gulf. Sixty‐one crude oil‐degrading bacteria were isolated from mangrove samples (plant, sediment, and seawater) that enriched in ONR7a medium with crude oil as only carbon source. Some screening tests such as growth at high concentration of crude oil, bioemulsifier production, and surface hydrophobicity were done to select the most efficient strains for crude oil degradation. Molecular identification of strains was carried out by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene by PCR. The results of this study were indicated that the quantity of crude oil‐degrading bacteria was higher in the root of mangrove plants compare to other mangrove samples (sediment and seawater). Also, identification results confirmed that these isolated strains belong to Vibrio sp. strain NW4, Idiomarina sp. strain BW32, Kangiella sp. strain DP40, Marinobacter sp. strain DW44, Halomonas sp. strain BS53, and Vibrio sp. strain DS35. The application of bioremediation strategies with these bacteria can reduce crude oil pollution in this important marine environment.     

Flux of nutrients in the Gulf of California: Geostrophic approach

Continental margins exert a strong influence on global biogeochemical cycles; however there have been relatively few attempts to quantify either the magnitude or nature of temporal variability in material fluxes. At present here are no reports on nutrient fluxes at the mouth of the Gulf of California (GC) so further information is needed to provide estimated values from direct measurements. From 1995–1999 during five cruises covering all seasons, seawater samples were collected and measured the nutrient content from the surface to the bottom (some deeper than 2500 m) from a repeated hydrographic sections at the mouth of the GC. This chemical and physical database is unique because it covers an area with important biogeochemical signs, which has been detected as one of the highest in primary productivity of the world oceans. These sections are perpendicular to the coastlines of the Mexican states of Baja California Sur (BCS) and Sinaloa. In this section, the most dynamic area was the surface waters in February 1999 with strong geostrophic currents and temperatures of 20 ± 1.5 °C; salinity 35.091 ± 0.156; pH 8.16 ± 0.13; phosphate 0.85 ± 0.42 μM, nitrate + nitrite 2.35 ± 2.94 μM, and ammonia 2.00 ± 1.25 μM (average ± standard deviation).Geostrophic velocities were computed from high-resolution CTD sections across the entrance to the GC. During winter and spring, the outflow occurred near BCS and the inflow occurred either through the center of the section and/or along the Sinaloa coast. Both inflow and outflow cores were 45 km wide and extended deeper than 700 m. Summer and fall showed a complex pattern, alternating cores of inflow and outflow but with inflow along Sinaloa on all cruises. The maximum flow into the Gulf occurs during May in the center of the section while outflow was concentrated along BCS. Mascarenhas et al. [Mascarenhas, A., Castro, R., Collins, C.A., Durazo, R., 2004. Seasonal variation of geostrophic velocity and heat flux at the entrance to the Gulf of California, Mexico. Journal Geophysical Research, 2124.] calculated the section mean geostrophic velocity that was composed of two alternating cores of inflow and outflow. The two cores that were adjacent to either coast were broader and contained the highest inflow (0.40 m s^− 1) and outflow (− 0.25 m s^− 1) velocities, supporting the general idea of inflow along the Sinaloa and an outflow along BCS.The highest nutrient fluxes occur during El Niño conditions in November 1997 with outflows as high as 54.5 Tg yr^− 1 for Phosphate, 43.0 Tg yr^− 1 for Nitrate and 31.7 Tg yr^− 1 for Ammonia, this values were at least three times higher than in February 1999.     

Numerical simulation of larval shrimp dispersion in the Northern Region of the Gulf of California

The trajectories of shrimp larvae in the northern part of the Gulf of California were studied from a Lagrangian point of view using a three-dimensional numerical model. The advection of particles was carried out over fortnightly periods starting at spring and neap tides. The northernmost region of the gulf has important shrimp fisheries and nursery areas have been located off the coast of Baja California at San Felipe (SF) and off the Sonora coast at Santa Clara (SC). Though the reproduction zone is believed to be south of these nursery areas, there is much that remains unknown about the zone and the routes used by shrimps to reach these areas. Passive and active simulations of shrimp larvae drift were carried out in order to study the possible areas of shrimp spawning and their migratory routes. The active migration schemes were based on assumptions that the larvae can be advected only: (1) during the day, (2) at night or (3) when the currents flow in the northward direction toward the nursery areas. It was found that the larvae in Santa Clara and San Felipe came from different production zones. No differences were found between the spring and neap tide scenarios except for the diurnal migration experiments. The distance traveled by shrimp larvae was always less than 40–50 km, except in the cases when the larvae selected the appropriate direction to the nursery areas when the larvae travel 140 km to SC and 95 km to SF.     

The Gulf of California: Review of ecosystem status and sustainability challenges

The Gulf of California is unique because of its geographical location and conformation. It hosts diverse ecosystems and important fisheries that support industry and provide livelihood to coastal settlements. It is also the site of interests and problems, and an intense interaction among managers, producers, and conservationists. In this report, we scrutinize the abiotic (hydrography, climate, ocean circulation, and chemistry) and biotic (phyto- and zooplankton, fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, and turtles) components of the marine ecosystem, and some particular aspects of climate variability, endemisms, harmful algal blooms, oxygen minimum layer, and pollution. We also review the current conditions and conflicts around the main fisheries (shrimp, small and large pelagic fishes, squid, artisanal and sportfishing), the most important human activity in the Gulf of California. We cover some aspects of management and conservation of fisheries, especially the claimed overexploitation of fish resources and the ecosystems, and review proposals for creating networks of marine protected areas. We conclude by identifying main needs for information and research, particularly the integration of data bases, the implementation of models and paleoreconstructions, establishment of monitoring programs, and the evaluation of fishing impacts and management actions.     

北部湾大风江与南流江河口红树林空间分布格局研究

生长在潮间带的红树植物在河口植物群落构成、海岸防风消浪中具有重要价值。本文基于本地种桐花树胚胎浸泡下沉实验与北部湾南流江和大风江河口段水体盐度、沿线潮间带植物群落结构与地貌分析,探讨红树林在河口空间分布及影响因素。结果主要表明：南流江河口和大风江河口红树林自海向陆基本展现“红树林纯林(桐花树、秋茄、无瓣海桑种类混生)→红树植物与半红树植物(黄槿、苦朗等)混生→红树植物、半红树植物与非红树植物混生→红树植物镶嵌→稀疏红树林小苗”的分布格局,但大风江河口向陆界限主要以红树、红树幼苗及半红树混生为主。此外,红树被浸淹时长是控制河口红树空间分布结构的主要因素。潮水上溯时长影响红树向陆生长的极限位置,宜林滩地是红树发育生长的必要条件。     

夏季九龙江口红树林土壤-大气界面温室气体通量的研究

红树林湿地土壤是一个潜在的温室气体排放源.调查了夏季福建九龙江口的秋茄（Kandelia candel）红树林湿地土壤-大气界面3种温室气体的通量并分析土壤环境对其的影响.研究结果显示,九龙江口红树林夏季3种温室气体N2O、CH4和CO2的通量分别是0.27～2.45、-0.28～341.43μmol/（m2·h）和-0.49～17.00 mmol/（m2·h）,表明九龙江口夏季红树林土壤总体上是温室气体的排放源.根据3种温室气体的平均通量及其增温潜力计算它们的CO2当量通量以反映3种温室气体产生的增温效应,计算结果显示九龙江口红树林夏季土壤排放温室气体的CO2当量通量为82.33～674.92 mg/（m2·h）,而CO2是最大的贡献因素.双因素方差分析结果表明,CO2通量和土壤理化性质因林地和滩面而异,CH4通量受林地的影响,但N2O通量则不受林地和滩面的影响.相关性分析结果显示,土壤环境因子是影响红树林温室气体通量空间差异的重要原因,其中土壤有机质、氨态氮和总氮含量是影响N2O和CO2通量的主要因子,而CH4则只与土壤氧化还原电位显著相关.     

Social indicators of vulnerability for fishing communities in the Northern Gulf of California,Mexico: Implications for climate change

Marine fisheries support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. These fisheries and the communities that depend on them are highly vulnerable to climate change and other interacting anthropogenic threats. The cumulative and interacting effects of these stressors could potentially produce declines in fish production, which would significantly impact artisanal fishers. Assessing relative vulnerability of fishing communities to anthropogenic stressors is an important first step to identifying mitigation or adaptation strategies. This study assessed the vulnerability of 12 coastal communities in the Northern Gulf of California to disruptions in fishing activities from anthropogenic stressors, including climate change. The Northern Gulf is a megadiverse area and a major source of fishery resources. Quantitative indicator indices based on secondary and primary data were developed to assess the three aspects of vulnerability: sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity. The key components of vulnerability varied amongst communities. Vulnerability was higher in communities with higher fishing dependence and lower socioeconomic diversification. The approach presented here provides important insights into the type of policy actions that might be needed in different communities for adaptation and mitigation.     

Spatial and vertical distributions of elements in sediments of the Colorado River delta and Upper Gulf of California

The abundance of major components (Fe, Ca, K, and organic carbon) and trace elements was analyzed in surface sediments and core samples from the Colorado River delta (CRD) and the Upper Gulf of California (UGC) using instrumental neutron activation analysis.The spatial distribution patterns of the elements studied are consistent with the model of sedimentary dynamics proposed for this area [Mar. Geol. 158 (1999) 125]: intense tidal resuspension of sediments in the delta with subsequent transport of suspended particulate matter in a southerly direction, followed by sedimentation of fine-grained material in a depocenter near the southwestern margin of the UGC. Concentrations of most of the elements are higher in the surface sediments of this depocenter. The gradual mixing of terrigenous and marine biogenic materials, normally expected for the estuarine sediments, was not detected in the CRD–UGC system because of homogenization of the sediments by tides and wind.Vertical profiles of element contents in samples of the sediment core collected in the depocenter area revealed (i) almost no anthropogenic contamination of the area by environmentally important trace elements such as Cr, Co, Sb, and As; (ii) a twofold decrease of Fe, Sc, Cr, and Co in upper core sediments; and (iii) the enrichment of the sediments at 60–62 cm depth in the core, in calcium carbonate, Ca, Sr, and the Eu_n/Sm_n shale-normalized ratio along with a depletion in this layer of Fe, Sc, Cr, Co, light rare-earth elements (REEs), and some other elements of terrigenous origin, presumably caused by the dilution of fluvial terrigenous material by biogenic carbonates, which were probably introduced at this level in the sediments by the action of a strong episodic winter storm, followed by the advective transport of shell fragments from the coastal clam banks or as a result of strong planktonic bloom.     

The unintended consequences of formal fisheries policies: Social disparities and resource overuse in a major fishing community in the Gulf of California, Mexico

This study investigates the local social and fisheries impact of formal fisheries policies in Bahía de Kino, one of the most important fishing villages in terms of extraction of benthic resources in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico. The paper focuses on cross-scale institutional interactions, describing how existing formal policies are functioning on the ground, how these policies interact with local arrangements, and how this interaction may affect the incentives of different actors towards sustainable fisheries. Besides providing lessons on how the performance of a local fishery could be improved, this paper addresses the question of whether the formal institutional structure of Mexican fishing regulations is effective in promoting responsible behavior by small-scale fishery stakeholders. It is argued that the design of the most widely used management tool to regulate access to marine resources throughout Mexico -the permit (licensing) system- provides the wrong incentives for sustainable-use. Granting secure rights to resources to those actively involved in the fishery is a necessary step for promoting sustainable fishing practices.     

Vertical Distribution of Phytoplankton in the Central and Northern Part of the Gulf of California (June 1982)

Abstract. Vertical profiles of temperature, nutrients (silicate, phosphate, and nitrate), chlorophyll a and phytoplankton abundance are given for six stations located in the Gulf of California, June 1982, above 1 % of light intensity. The vertical distribution of phytoplankton was related to the water column structure: stratified stations had a defined nutricline and subsurface chlorophyll and phytoplankton abundance maxima were present, which were found to be related to the depth of the principal thermocline; vertical distribution of taxa was not uniform and low affinity values (< 0.5) were calculated among depths at these stations. Despite the irregular vertical distribution of chlorophyll and cell number, there was a great affinity in the species composition throughout the euphotic zone at well-mixed or weakly stratified stations. Nanoplankton organisms, mainly coc-colithophorids, were the most important numerical contributors at the chlorophyll maxima, except when this was superficial, in which case diatoms were the most numerous group. Some patterns of the vertical distribution of the main phytoplankton groups ( e.g. , diatoms, dinoflagellates, and microflagellates) are shown. The spectrum of diversity in the water column was useful only for mixed-waters. The relationship between stability, nutrients, and phytoplankton - regarding their vertical distribution - and the importance of physical and biological processes on phytoplankton ecology are discussed.     

On the three-dimensional numerical modeling of the deep circulation around Ángel de la Guarda Island in the Gulf of California

A three-dimensional nonlinear baroclinic model is used to model the circulation in the Ballenas Channel, Gulf of California, México, which was inferred from current meter observations over three sills that surround the area. The suggested circulation consists of deep inflow that follows two paths: the first one is a direct spill of water through San Lorenzo sill into Ballenas Channel, the second one, a larger route that starts at San Esteban sill, then flows north of the island passing over Tiburón and Delfín basins, and then turns to the south reaching the North Ballenas Channel sill and then spills into Ballenas Channel. Following the latter result, a previous modeling effort to reproduce the circulation was partially obtained, the long path was not reproduced and it was believed that finer horizontal resolution was needed. In this work, the bathymetric resolution was increased by a factor of three and the full path of this deep circulation is now obtained and corroborated.     

Influence of Rhodolith-Forming Species and Growth-Form on Associated Fauna of Rhodolith Beds in the Central-West Gulf of California, México

Abstract.  Rhodoliths provide a stable and three-dimensional habitat to which other seaweeds and invertebrates can attach. Although ecological factors affecting rhodolith beds have been studied, little is known about the effect of rhodolith species and growth-form on associated fauna. Experiments were conducted at three rhodolith beds in the central-west Gulf of California. Faunal abundance differed significantly in relation to rhodolith-forming species, but no significant differences were observed between different growth-forms. Rhodolith structure differs between the species Lithophyllum margaritae and Neogoniolithon trichotomum , and the combination of structure differences and rhodolith abundances may be responsible of the significant differences in faunal abundance and richness. Crustaceans, polychaetes and molluscs were the most important taxa in all three rhodolith beds. The amphipod species Pontogeneia nasa and the cnidarian Aiptasia sp. were dominant in both rhodolith beds, El Requesón and Isla Coyote, in Bahía Concepción. The Isla Coronados rhodolith bed was dominated by an unidentified harpacticoid copepod (Copepoda sp.1). Rhodolith species is more important than growth-form in determining abundance and richness of the associated fauna. Nevertheless, factors such as wave motion, depth, bioturbation and others should be considered when studying organisms associated with rhodolith beds.     

Larval fish assemblages,environment and circulation in a semienclosed sea (Gulf of California,Mexico)

Fish larvae and hydrographic data collected in the Gulf of California (GC) in December 2002 are used to describe larval fish assemblages (LFAs) and to explore their relationships with environmental variables (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence maximum, ?$?$ and superficial chlorophyll a). The Bray–Curtis dissimilarity index defined three LFAs, distributed in areas with distinctly different environmental conditions. The affinity of most of the species with the environmental characteristics of their areas of distribution could be interpreted as an indication that spawning occurred inside those areas. Particle tracking in current fields from a 3D numerical model and connectivity matrices are used to assess larval retention in the LFA areas. The technique is well suited for seas like the GC that have well-defined circulation patterns. On time scales around 30 days, retention (from 56% to 73% of the particles) occurred (1) for the North LFA in the Upper GC, (2) for the Channel-Center LFA in the anticyclone over the Northern GC and in Ballenas Channel, and (3) for the South LFA in the eddy over San Pedro Mártir basin and in the shallow zone off the peninsula. Therefore, the Lagrangian analysis revealed that the observed LFAs have a permanency long enough to allow fish larvae to remain in a favorable environment until they develop motility. The main particle export path (less than 26% of the particles) was from the North to the South LFA, following the anticyclonic main flow and coinciding with the gradient in species number and larval abundance.     

Effective ecosystem-based management must encourage regulatory compliance: A Gulf of California case study

The Northern Gulf of California is an area important for small-scale fisheries in terms of economic activity and food security, but widespread non-compliance with fisheries regulations impedes effective management of resources and conservation efforts. Where a previous study evaluated quantitatively a theoretical situation in which all regulations are perfectly followed, this article compares a suite of recently proposed ecosystem-based management (EBM) policies against the expected benefits of full enforcement of current regulations. Policies evaluated include no-take marine protected areas (MPAs), breeding period closures, changes in hook size and fishing effort, and gear-specific spatial closures. No-take MPAs yield ecological benefits over a wide range of MPA sizes and characteristics, but do not increase overall catch. Seasonal closures are effective at reducing overfishing for the depleted leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea); changing the hook size of artisanal longlines does not increase catch of either the target species or the assemblage, and gear-specific fishery closures for crab traps near Puerto Peñasco are effective at reducing overfishing of blue crab (Callinectes bellicosus and C. arcuatus). In general, full enforcement of existing regulations outperforms these EBM policies in terms of conservation benefits, but it may be less palatable to stakeholders as it requires major reductions in catch.