Food and habitat resource partitioning between three estuarine fish species on the Swedish west coast

In 1978 the food and habitat resource partitioning of three small and common fish species, viz. Pomatoschistus microps (Krøyer), Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.) and Pungitius pungitius (L.) were studied in river Broälven estuary on the Swedish west coast (58°22′N, 11°29′E). The area was divided into three habitats, based on environmental features. In July, September, and October stomach contents and size distribution of each species present were analysed.In July there was high food and habitat overlap between the species. Interference interactions probably occurred between some size classes of P. microps and the other two species. P. pungitius was exposed to both intra- and interspecific interactions. In September the food and habitat overlaps between G. aculeatus and P. pungitius were high, while both had low food and habitat overlaps in relation to P. microps. Interactions between G. aculeatus and P. pungitius were probably influenced by more severe abiotic conditions in one habitat, which caused lower abundances there, and higher abundances in the other two habitats. In October no interactions were observed. These results indicate that competition for food at least temporarily determines the species distribution in a temperate estuary, and that estuarine fish populations are sometimes food limited.     

Food sources of benthic animals on intertidal and subtidal bottoms in inner Ariake Sound,southern Japan,determined by stable isotopes

To evaluate the relative importance of possible food sources, including riverine particulate organic matter, reeds, benthic microalgae, seaweeds, cultured laver (Porphyra) and coastal phytoplankton, for commercial bivalves and co-occurring benthic animals, 73 macrofaunal species were collected from intertidal and subtidal soft bottoms in the inner part of Ariake Sound, Kyushu, southern Japan, and their isotopic compositions were analyzed. The results revealed that (1) both intertidal and subtidal food webs were constituted of 3 trophic levels, (2) suspension-feeding bivalves utilize a mixture of benthic microalgae and coastal phytoplankton, and omnivores and carnivores incorporate benthic microalgae and phytoplankton through their intermediate prey, and (3) 3 bivalves (Scapharca kagoshimensis, Modiolus metcalfei and Atrina lischkeana) inhabiting both intertidal and subtidal bottoms showed similar seasonal fluctuations, suggesting no difference in the diet composition among the species and between the 2 habitats. We conclude that a large biomass of benthic microalgae which was approximately equal to that of phytoplankton and the strong tidal currents that would resuspend benthic microalgae and transport them to subtidal bottom areas account for the benthic microalgal and phytoplankton based trophic structure in the inner part of Ariake Sound.     

Sediment transport on an estuarine intertidal flat: Measurements and conceptual model of waves, rainfall and exchanges with a tidal creek

Sediment (silt) transport on a wave-dominated estuarine intertidal flat dissected by a tidal creek that connects to the watershed freshwater network is investigated by analysing field data from Waikopua, New Zealand, and by applying simple models. The intention is to expand understanding beyond the case of the idealised, two-dimensional wave-dominated flat. During fairweather (no waves), there is a continuous exchange of silt between the bed of the tidal creek and the upper flat, and that exchange is controlled by the elevation of the flat with respect to the creek bed. Rainfall in the watershed does not fundamentally alter the way the intertidal flat and the creek interact, but it does increase silt loads in the creek, which in turn increases the amount of silt exchanged with the upper flat. Waves on the flat are fetch-limited, and frictional dissipation causes waves to reduce in height at the edge of the water body. Under some circumstances, a frictional-dissipation zone may occupy the entire middle-plus-upper flat. There is a maximum in wave-orbital speed at the bed (U_sigb) in the middle reaches of the flat, which arises from the particular balance between down-fetch wave growth, wave dissipation by bottom friction, and attenuation through the water column of wave-orbital motions under the short-period waves. There is a progressive decoupling of suspended-silt concentration (SSC) from U_sigb moving from the bottom to the top of the flat, such that SSC is highest towards the top of the flat, where U_sigb is virtually zero. We suggest that this is due to wave activity retarding the settling of suspended silt, and explore that idea with a simple model that is capable of reproducing the essential features of the data set. The results are assimilated in a conceptual model of the system, which shows the balances that control net silt transport in the creek and on the different parts of the flat, three different silt sources, and the role of waves and rainfall. The conceptual model also points at the feedbacks between sediment-transport processes and morphology that are inherent in the system. Implications of those feedbacks to long-term morphodynamics are essentially unexplored.     

Effect of salinity on heavy metal mobility and availability in intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary

The effect of the flood water salinity on the mobility of heavy metals was studied for intertidal sediments of the Scheldt estuary (Belgium). Soils and sediments of 4 sampling sites were flooded with water of different salinities (0.5, 2.5, and 5 g NaCl L⁻¹). Metal concentrations were monitored in pore water and surface water. To study the potential effects of flood water salinity on metal bioavailability, duckweed (Lemna minor) was grown in the surface water. The salinity was found to primarily enhance the mobility of Cd and its uptake by duckweed. Cadmium concentrations in pore water of soils and sediments and surrounding surface waters significantly exceeded sanitation thresholds and quality standards during flooding of initially oxidized sediments. Moreover, the effect was observed already at lower salinities of 0.5 g NaCl L⁻¹. This implies that risks related to Cd uptake by organisms and Cd leaching to ground water are relevant when constructing flooding areas in the brackish zones of estuaries. These risks can be reduced by inducing sulphide precipitation because Cd is then immobilised as sulphide and its mobility becomes independent of flood water salinity. This could be achieved by permanently flooding the polluted sediments, because sulphates are sufficiently available in the river water of the brackish part of the estuary.     

Spatial intertidal distribution of bivalves and polychaetes in relation to environmental conditions in the Natori River estuary,Japan

This paper aims to reveal spatial variation in the abundance of infaunal bivalves and polychaetes at different spatial scales (station: 200–800 m intervals; plot: 5–20 m), and to reveal environmental variables affecting the spatial distribution of animals in the Natori River estuary, Japan. We found six bivalve species and eight polychaete species from 52 plots at 12 stations. Nuttallia olivacea and Heteromastus sp. were found to be the most abundant species of bivalves and polychaetes, respectively. Assemblage patterns of bivalves and polychaetes were classified into five distinct groups. Substrata (silt-clay contents), salinity, and relative elevation were the variables found to affect the infaunal assemblage patterns. Chlorophyll a was not a significant variable, but benthic animals were absent at sites with extremely low chlorophyll a conditions. Macrobenthic assemblage patterns were different not only between stations but often differed between plots at the same station, reflecting the complex assemblage structure of benthic invertebrates. Detailing such animal–environment relationship is essential in understanding the potential food supply for estuarine fishes.     

玉环大鹿岛旅游环境容量研究

以玉环大鹿岛为例 ,从协调海岛海滨旅游资源开发与保护的关系出发 ,通过对海岛生态系统的评价 ,探讨了影响和确定旅游环境容量的若干因素与基本原则 ,并运用数量最终环境界值法对大鹿岛的日旅游环境容量进行了计算 ,进而提出了相应的对策和建议     

基于生态通道模型的我国渔业资源生态容量研究进展

随着人类活动对于海洋资源的过度开发,渔业资源的衰退趋势愈发显著。因此,渔业资源亟待科学合理的理论指导来保护和利用有限的渔业资源。Ecopath生态通道模型是一种研究生态系统特征与变化的经典模型,除了可用于分析生态系统结构与功能以及评估生态系统的成熟稳定程度外,该模型还可以评估物种的生态容量,为增殖放流活动等渔业资源提供保护措施,因此被广泛应用于渔业资源生态容量研究。本文综述了生态容量的概念以及目前国内研究生态容量的常见方法,对Ecopath模型的发展历史做了简要概述,介绍了模型的原理、建立、调试方法以及使用Ecopath模型评估物种生态容量的操作方法,随后对模型中的各项参数指标做了详细的介绍。本文根据Ecopath模型在我国渔业资源研究中的应用方向进行了分类讨论,并对我国当前基于Ecopath的水域生态容量研究进展进行了汇总,对比了不同类型生态系统之间生态特征参数的异同,重点归纳了不同水域生态系统下的物种生态容量评估研究,最后提出了模型的限制性以及发展前景。     

Regular habitat switch as an important feeding strategy of an opportunistic seabird species at the interface between land and sea

During deteriorated prey availability, purely pelagic, specialised seabird species have to alter their feeding strategy by extending foraging radii and/or time spent at sea or reducing feeding intervals of chicks. In contrast, more generalised species such as the opportunistic black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) breeding at the German North Sea coast, can be assumed to react on prey shortages by switching foraging habitats. The coastal zone of the German North Sea provides a rich habitat mosaic consisting of the offshore zone, tidal flats and terrestrial habitats. Thus, we expected distinct temporal and spatial patterns of habitat switch in accordance with prey availability and environmental constraints. We carried out ship-based and aerial surveys as well as dietary analyses and observations on flight activity. We found a significant switch from terrestrial to marine feeding sites both on a daily basis (related to tidal cycle) and over the whole breeding season. Most likely, the latter switch is the result of lower prey availability in the terrestrial habitats and an increasing quality (in terms of prey abundance and energy intake) of the marine area. While there was only moderate variability in habitat use among different years, we revealed significant differences in the diet of birds from different colonies. The high dietary plasticity and flexible feeding strategy, switching between terrestrial and marine prey is certainly of major importance for the success of an opportunistic avian top predator in a complex coastal zone. It is suggested that – compared to situations elsewhere – the number of breeding pairs of black-headed gulls in the German North Sea coast are still stable due to the switch of foraging habitats performed by individuals in this region.     

Response of phytoplankton to multispecies mariculture:a case study on the carrying capacity of shellfish in the Sanggou Bay in China

A muhispecies model for shellfish polycuhure in the Sanggou Bay in China used for large-scale long-line cultivation of the Chinese scallop Chlamysfarreri, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas and the kelp Laminaria japonica is presented. The model includes key physical processes which are the transports of matter at the system boundary, and the main biological process that is the primary production and nutrients release from the bottom. By the model, the seasonal fluctuations of phytoplankton biomass and dissolved inorganic nitrogen（DIN） in 1994 are simulated. Furthermore, if the kelp culture scale is kept constant and the Chinese scallop and the Pacific oyster culture scales are adjusted, virtual shellfish farms are funded and responses of phytoplankton to the largescale shellfish culture are simulated. According to these simulated results, the room limitation, and the hypothesis that shellfish will not grow well if the phytoplankton biomass is less than 8.2 mg/m^3 , the expandable multiple of scallop culture k and that of oyster culture y are determined as k = -0.276 5y ＋4.690 5 and 0.133 3k ＋0.006 6y≤0.667 5, where, k （ or y） is equal to 1, the culture scale of scallop （ or oyster） is 8.8 x 109 individuals （or 66 ha, with a density of 59 ind./m^2 ）, and the kelp culture scale is 3 300 ha with a density of 12 ind./m^2.     

基于信息熵的溢油对天然渔业可持续承载力损害的评估

作者基于信息熵理论,以溢油事故对海洋天然渔业损害为切入点探讨海洋生态系统可持续承载力损害评估方法。论文从生态系统状态、功能、污染、修复等4个方面构建了熵流和熵产生指标体系,以"塔斯曼海"轮溢油事故为例进行计算和评估,结果表明:溢油使海洋生态系统的价值产出能力下降94.7%、总的承载力下降194.9%,溢油治理的效果小于溢油对生态承载力的损害。本评价是现有溢油生态损害评价的补充,可为长期生态损害评估、生态修复和环境管理决策提供科学依据。     

Response of phytoplankton to multispecies mariculture: a case study on the carrying capacity of shellfish in the Sanggou Bay in China

A multispecies model for shellfish polyculture in the Sanggou Bay in China used for large-scale long-line cultivation of the Chinese scallop Chlamys farreri, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas and the kelp Laminaria japonica is presented. The model includes key physical processes which are the transports of matter at the system boundary, and the main biological process that is the primary production and nutrients release from the bottom. By the model, the seasonal fluctuations of phytoplankton biomass and dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) in 1994 are simulated. Furthermore, if the kelp culture scale is kept constant and the Chinese scallop and the Pacific oyster culture scales are adjusted, virtual shellfish farms are funded and responses of phytoplankton to the large-scale shellfish culture are simulated. According to these simulated results, the room limitation, and the hypothesis that shellfish will not grow well if the phytoplankton biomass is less than 8.2 mg/m³, the expandable multiple of scallop culture k and that of oyster culture y are determined as k=-0.276 5y+4.690 5 and 0.133 3k+0.006 6y ≤ 0.667 5, where, k (or y) is equal to 1, the culture scale of scallop (or oyster) is 8.8×10⁹ individuals (or 66 ha, with a density of 59 ind./m²), and the kelp culture scale is 3 300 ha with a density of 12 ind./m².     

基于DPSIR模型和耦合协调度模型的胶州湾海域承载力分析

海域承载力是海洋资源利用协调发展的重要指标,本研究旨在根据胶州湾海域资源特征,基于DPSIR模型构建海域承载力评价指标体系,运用熵值法评价2000—2020年胶州湾海域承载力,并运用耦合协调度模型分析胶州湾海域承载力子系统内部的耦合协调度。结果表明,2000—2020年胶州湾海域承载力和耦合协调度变化幅度范围分别为0.70~0.95和0.73~0.85。研究结论如下:1)2000—2020年胶州湾海域承载力处于强可载、近满载状态,总体呈降低趋势;2)在压力层中的对海洋资源的需求是影响海域承载力的主要因素,而GDP (Gross Domestic Product)增长率、海洋渔船数和海洋渔船功率、人均滩涂面积和人均用海面积、主要海洋产业增加值年增长率、人工增殖放流则分别是影响驱动力层、压力层、状态层、影响层、响应层的主要因素;3)2000—2020年间胶州湾海域承载力整体耦合协调度总体呈“初级协调至良好协调”态势。     

基于熵权TOPSIS模型的海岛地区资源环境承载力研究——以舟山普陀区、定海区为例

随着海洋强国、"一带一路"、生态文明建设等国家战略的不断推进,海岛在国家政治、军事、经济、社会、生态中的地位不断提高,海岛开发、利用的规模越来越大,其生态保护也面临着新的挑战。本文依据资源环境承载力内涵,兼顾海岛资源环境特点,研究形成海岛地区资源环境承载力评价指标体系,综合应用熵权法、TOPSIS(逼近理想解排序方法)模型评价了典型海岛地区——普陀区与定海区2009-2015年间的资源环境承载力状况,结果表明:普陀和定海资源环境承载力水平呈稳步提升趋势,各个时期的环境保护政策和节能减排相关措施在环境保护与污染治理等方面起到了较为积极的作用。最后,在基于生态系统的海岛综合管理框架内提出了对策建议。     

基于熵值-突变级数法的环渤海地区海洋生态环境承载力评价及障碍因子诊断

随着对海洋开发力度的不断加大,海洋生态环境问题日益突出,已成为中国海洋可持续发展的制约因素。作为衡量海洋可持续发展的主要手段之一,海洋生态环境承载力的定量化评价是必不可少的重要环节。针对海洋生态环境承载力的突变特性,基于熵值-突变级数法,从压力和承压两方面构建海洋生态环境承载力评价指标体系,结合障碍因子诊断模型,考量环渤海地区4个省市2006-2014年的海洋生态环境承载力的空间差异和时序特征,剖析影响承载力发展水平的主要障碍因子。研究表明:环渤海地区2006-2014年海洋生态环境承载能力整体较差,承载力水平呈下降趋势;2014年海洋生态环境承载强度分为两类,山东和天津为较弱承载力水平,河北和辽宁为弱承载力水平;生态弹性小、环境污染重、生态资源匮乏已成为制约环渤海海洋生态环境承载力发展水平的普遍问题。     

基于ADP-XR和OBS-3A的潮滩水文泥沙过程研究以胶州湾北部红岛潮滩为例

于2004年8月17~24日在胶州湾北部红岛潮滩上用OBS-3A和ADP-XR观测了水深、浊度、水平和垂直流速、回声强度、波浪、盐度、水温等水文泥沙要素,同时采集了悬沙和底沙样品作粒度分析.结果和结论为:(1)潮流动力较弱,表层和近底层最大流速分别只有31和26cm/s;(2)弱潮流动力导致潮周期大部分时间的悬沙浓度小于30mg/dm3,但浅水阶段近底悬沙浓度为100~1000mg/dm3;浅水阶段的短暂高悬浮泥沙浓度和其余长淹没时段的低悬沙浓度共同构成悬沙浓度的“U”形潮周期过程线;(3)悬沙浓度的垂直成层分布主要发生在潮周期的深水阶段和平静天气;(4)由于潮流弱和风浪的干扰,悬沙浓度未呈现大小潮周期的变化规律;(5)水体盐度为23.6~29.5;(6)淹没期的温度(21.4~28.6℃)比出露期的(19.3~30.9℃)稳定,温度极高值出现在午后出露期,而极低值出现在凌晨出露期;(7)“浅水效应”是弱动力潮滩泥沙运动的重要特点.     

Benthic Fluxes of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen in a Coastal Lagoon of the Northern Adriatic Sea: an Interpretation of Spatial Variability Based on Sediment Features and Infauna Activity

Abstract. Dark respiration rates, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) fluxes and nitrification rates were measured at two sites in the microtidal Sacca di Goro lagoon in September 2000. DIN fluxes correlated with the biomass of the dominant macrofauna species (the amphipod Corophium spp. at station Giralda and the polychaete Neanthes spp. at station Faro). Respiration (> 6 mmol O₂ m⁻²h⁻¹) and ammonium fluxes (> 80μmol N m⁻²h⁻¹) were higher at station Giralda despite the lower organic matter content (4.5 %) and lower macrofauna biomass (4 g AFDW m⁻²). At both sites ammonium fluxes were significantly correlated with the biomass of the benthic infauna, but Corophium stimulated ammonium NH₄⁺ fluxes 3-fold compared to Neanthes. The amphipod also enhanced nitrification rates (> 300 μmol N m⁻²h⁻¹) due to the high density of its burrows, the higher NH₄⁺ regeneration rates and the enhanced oxygen supply to the bacteria.     

浙江马鞍列岛附近海域浮游植物与赤潮生物研究

１９９０年５月和１１月在马鞍列岛附近海域进行两次采样调查，共检出浮游植物８０种，隶属于３６属。春季浮游植物的平均丰度为６．４×１０４个／ｍ３，最高达２０８．６×１０４个／ｍ３，优势种为夜光藻和角藻；秋季浮游植物平均丰度为７４４０．４×１０４个／ｍ３，最高达２０７６１．２×１０４个／ｍ３，优势种为中肋骨条藻，其丰度已达到赤潮发生的临界状态。由富营养化综合指数分析表明，５月该水域未处于富营养化，而１１月则完全处于富营养化状况。该水域春秋两季均存在多种赤潮生物。     

Influence of habitat and host morphology on macrofaunal assemblages associated with the sponge Halichondria melanadocia in an estuarine system of the southern Gulf of Mexico

Sponges are inhabited by a wide variety of organisms and have been regarded as one of the richest biotopes in tropical seas. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the host morphology and selected environmental conditions on macrofaunal assemblages associated with the sponge Halichondria melanadocia in an estuarine system of the southern Gulf of Mexico. This sponge exhibits different growth forms when it inhabits mangrove prop roots of Rhizophora mangle (thickly encrusting form) and adjacent seagrass beds (massive, amorphous or ramose form). From a total of 50 sponge specimens collected in each habitat, a total of eight taxa (of epi‐ and endobionts) was found associated with this sponge, with polychaetes, echinoderms and crustaceans the most abundant groups. In both morphotypes (thickly‐encrusting and massive‐ramose forms), taxon richness was positively related to sponge volume and oscular diameter. The overall mean abundance of associated fauna was also positively related to sponge volume in both morphotypes and with the oscular diameter (in the seagrass morphotype only). These findings suggest that H. melanadocia constitutes an important microhabitat for a wide variety of fauna, independent of its morphology and habitat type. However, when comparing the two morphotypes, the mangrove individuals, despite having smaller sizes, smaller oscular diameter and less structural complexity, displayed an overall mean abundance of fauna 17 times higher [0.36 ± 0.18 individuals (ind.)·ml·sponge^?1] than that recorded in the seagrass individuals (0.021 ± 0.01 ind.·ml·sponge^?1). There were also marked differences in the proportions of the major taxonomic groups; in fact, some of them were found exclusively in one morphotype. The variability recorded in the composition and abundance of associated fauna between the morphotypes seems to be influenced by differences in sponge morphology, environmental conditions (e.g. sedimentation rate and light intensity), substrate orientation and the fauna inhabiting the surrounding area.     

Crustorhabditis chitwoodi sp. nov. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae): An intertidal species from the coast of New South Wales,Australia, with observations on its ecology and life history

A new species, Crustorhabditis chitwoodi, was discovered in nutrient agar plates inoculated with beach sand collected from an ocean beach in New South Wales, Australia. The three other known species of the genus have all been found as commensal inhabitants of ocypodid shore crabs. It is suggested that the sand inoculum was seeded with dauer larvae of the nematode that had been dispersed by scavenging crabs. The new species is distinguished from the three previously described species by possessing a smaller number of differently arranged bursal papillae, eight rather than 10. The species is amphimictic, oviparous, and produces abundant dauer larvae in culture, which can be sustained indefinitely on sea water nutrient agar in which it feeds on associated bacteria.     

Sea-Level Variations Measured by the New Altimetry Mission SARAL/AltiKa and its Validation Based on Spatial Patterns and Temporal Curves Using Jason-2, Tide Gauge Data and an Overview of the Annual Sea Level Budget

High-precision satellite altimeters help in measuring the variations in sea level since the early 1990s. After a number of such successful altimetry missions such as Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, and Envisat, SARAL/AltiKa, a high resolution altimetry mission based on the Ka frequency band that can also cover high latitudinal zones, was launched in February 2013. Even though the data set available from this recent mission is not yet suitable for climate research owing to its short duration, in this study we perform a preliminary validation of SARAL/AltiKa sea-level data. The first part of the validation is the comparison of SARAL/AltiKa and Jason-2 sea-level data between March 2013 and August 2014 in terms of temporal mean spatial pattern. Comparisons in terms of global mean sea-level time series and latitudinal band-based mean time series are also performed. The second part of the validation is the comparison of the SARAL/AltiKa sea-level based time series with several tide gauge records covering the period of our study. Finally, an analysis of the annual sea-level budget with SARAL/AltiKa data, steric sea level, and ocean mass is performed. Results of these preliminary comparisons show good agreement with other sea-level data.