Holocene Foraminifera as Indicators of Relative Estuarine–Lagoonal and Oceanic Influences in Estuarine Sediments of the River Murray, South Australia: Volume 53, Number 3 (2000), pages 378–391

In southeastern South Australia, the River Murray debouches through a coastal barrier separating euryhaline estuarine-lagoonal waters from the Southern Ocean. Depending upon the relative freshwater outflow of the river and ingress of the ocean, water salinity varies greatly within the lower estuary. Ammonia beccarii and Elphidium articulatum are euryhaline species of foraminifera that characterize the estuary and back-barrier Coorong Lagoon. The inner-shelf marine environment hosts an assemblage in which Discorbis dimidiatus, E. crispum, E. macelliforme, and various cibicidid species predominate. In cored sediments recovered from the shallow lower estuary, the relative abundance of A. beccarii + E. articulatum was compared with that of D. dimidiatus + E. crispum + E. macelliforme + other species. These data, and AMS radiocarbon ages determined for foraminifera and ostracods, provide evidence of a change from maximum oceanic influence (5255 ± 60 yr B.P.) to maximum estuarine influence (3605 ± 70 yr B.P.). Over this same time interval, sea level fell relatively by about 2 m. However, the event was also contemporaneous with falling water levels in several Victorian lakes, and it is thus attributed to onset of climatic aridity. Reduced precipitation in the River Murray catchment and reduced freshwater outflow enhanced development of the flood-tide delta and constriction of the mouth.     

Spatial Distribution of Holocene Benthic Foraminifera,Northeastern Aegean Sea

The distribution of Holocene benthic foraminifera in the Gokceada-Bozcaada-Canakkale triangle was investigated in 31 surface-sediment samples. The sediments can be classified as muddy to gravelly-muddy sand with rare occurrences of muddy gravel and gravelly sand. The fauna exhibits high diversity and richness, and the populations increase in diversity and richness depending on the number of specimens. One hundred sixty (160) species were found. Eight benthic fossil assemblages, comprising only calcareous species, were identified in the region: Porosononion subgranosum (Egger), Ammonia compacta Hofker, Asterigerinata mamilla (Williamson), Rosalina bradyi Cushman, Elphidium crispum. (Linne), Cassidulina carinata Silvestri, Brizalina spathulata (Williamson) and Valvulineria bradyana (Fornasini). In order to analyze the samples statistically, the main foraminiferal parameters were calculated, namely, species richness (d'), Shannon-Wiener diversity (H) and evenness (J'). Finally, Q-mode cluster analysis was applied to the Bray-Curtis measure of similarity using the weighted pair-group method, and the ordination of the samples was plotted using an MDS plot. Eight benthic fossil assemblages, dominated by calcareous, hyaline-wall-bearing species, characterize the northeastern Aegean Sea.     

Microfossil evidence for salinity events in the Holocene Coorong Lagoon,South Australia

Nearly 6 m of uncompacted muddy sediment was recovered from the floor of the northern Coorong Lagoon in the core Coorong #5. Radiocarbon analyses of molluscan shells indicate that sedimentation at the core site commenced before 6830 ± 90 yr cal BP, and the presence of Pinus pollen confirms a modern age for the uppermost 0.5 m. Microfossils extracted from the core sediment samples, 2 cm slices at 10 cm intervals, included the foraminifera Ammonia sp., Elphidium excavatum and Elphidium gunteri; the ostracods Osticythere baragwanathi and Leptocythere lacustris; and charophyte oogonia. Shell fragments of the estuarine bivalve Spisula (Notospisula) trigonella in the lowermost 0.7 m of the core are evidence that these sediments were subject to some marine influence, but the absence of foraminifera and ostracods from this same interval indicates that at the core site salinity was not sufficient to support populations of these organisms. Thus, prior to 6830 ± 90 yr cal BP the Younghusband Peninsula was in place, in part isolating the northern lagoon from the Southern Ocean. The initial recorded salinity event is signified by abundant Ammonia sp. at a core depth of 5.2 m. The duration of this event was relatively brief; foraminifera were mostly absent in the immediately overlying 2 m, representing ca 700 yr of sedimentation. This observation is attributed to substantial inflow of freshwater from the River Murray. In the upper 3.0 m, Ammonia sp. was present in most core samples indicating that for most of the past 6000 years the Coorong Lagoon has been sufficiently saline to support a continuing population of this species. At a core depth of 1.3 m, the sediment sample yielded >2000 tests of Ammonia sp., and they were accompanied by maximum pre-modern numbers of E. excavatum, O. baragwanathi and oogonia. Taken together, these data signify the maximum pre-modern salinity event recorded in the core sediments, probably correlating in time with regional drought conditions at ca 3500 yr BP. Elphidium gunteri is confined to the modern sediments where it is abundant and accompanied by equally large numbers of Ammonia sp., E. excavatum, O. baragwanathi and L. lacustris. These data collectively indicate water conditions that are significantly changed from those that prevailed in the Coorong Lagoon for most of the Holocene.     

Cenomanian-Coniacian Sea-level Change and Dissolved Oxygen Fluctuations in Tethys-Himalaya: Evidences from Benthic Foraminifera of Gamba, Tibet

Benthic foraminifera, preserved in the Late Cretaceous organic carbon-rich sediments of Gamba, southern Tibet, provide high-resolution proxies for sea-level changes and dissolved oxygen fluctuations of southeastern Tethys. The fossils were statistically analyzed and divided into three faunas of "Cenomanian fauna", "Turonian fauna", and "Coniacian fauna". A middle neritic-upper bathal environment (50-250m) was estimated considering the ratios of planktonic and epifaunal benthic foraminifera (P/(P+E)), the morphological analysis according to the studies of recent foraminifera and the abundant distributions of depth-related species such as Alabamina creta, Laevidentalina sp., Praebulimina spp., Pleurostomella cf. naranjoensis, Pyrulina sp., Quinqueloculina spp., Haplophragmoides spp., etc. The result shows an almost parallel trend with the global transgressive and regressive cycles, but the former fluctuates more frequently at upper Cenomanian, which probably indicates tectonic instability of the continental margin. According to the benthic foraminiferal richness (BFN), Shannon-Weiner diversity (H(s)), as well as benthic foraminiferal oxygen index (BFOI), five periods of oxygen depleted conditions (dysoxic-anoxic) have been recognized. They correspond to the OAE2, the lower Turonian, the upper Turonian, the Turonian-Caniacian boundary event and the probably OAE3. In addition, the oxygen fluctuations in Gamba might be controlled directly by sea-level changes, while the paleoproductivity and oxygen conditions interacted with each other under oxygen deficiency environments.     

Late Middle Pleistocene deposits at Norton Farm on the West Sussex coastal plain,southern England

The coastal plain of West Sussex, southern England, is internationally important because of the sequence of discrete high‐sea‐level events preserved at various elevations across it. New evidence is presented from a site at Norton Farm, near Chichester, on the Lower Coastal Plain, where Pleistocene marine sands, fining upwards into silts, occur between 5.3 m and 9.1 m OD. The sequence reflects a regressive tendency at the transition from an interglacial to a cold stage. The marine sands have yielded foraminifera, ostracods and molluscs that indicate a declining marine influence through the sequence, culminating in a tidal mudflat, strongly weathered in places. Cool‐climate foraminifera (including Elphidium clavatum, Cassidulina reniformis and Elphidium albiumbilicatum) and ostracods have been recovered from the marine sands. Some species with an apparent preference for warmer water conditions, however, are also present. Freshwater taxa washed into the terminal marine sediments include some cold climate indicators, such as Pisidium stewarti and P. obtusale lapponicum. Additional evidence for cool climatic conditions during the deposition of the upper part of the marine sequence is provided by the lack of tree taxa in the pollen record and by features of the micromorphology. The marine sediments probably began accumulating during OIS 7, a conclusion based on their elevation, on amino acid ratios from shells, but especially on vertebrate evidence, particularly the presence of a small form of horse, together with a large, distinctive, form of northern vole (Microtus oeconomus). The occurrence of cool climate indicators in these marine sediments may demonstrate a lag between the climatic deterioration and the expected glacio‐eustatic fall in relative sea‐level. This evidence appears to support the conclusions drawn from the study of coral terraces in Barbados. Such a scenario would provide the conditions necessary for the emplacement of the large erratic boulders reported from the Lower Coastal Plain of West Sussex. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987115000444

The Asmari Formation is a predominantly carbonate lithostratigraphic unit that outcrops in the Zagros Basin. Micropaleontological studies of the Asmari Formation in the Dehdasht area led to the identification of 51 species of foraminifera taxa. Among the foraminifera, Nummulites cf. vascus, Operculin sp.,Operculina complanata, Eulepidina dilatata, Eulepidina elephantine, Ditrupa sp., Miogypsina sp., Elphidium sp. 14, and Borelis melo curdica are the most important. The Lepidocyclina-Operculina-Ditrupa assemblage zone represents the Rupeliane Chattian age. The Aquitanian age is also defined by co-occurrence of Miogypsina sp. and Elphidium sp. 14, and finally, the first occurrence of Borelis melo curdica represents the Burdigalian. Based on faunal assemblages, the following paleoenvironmental settings are determined for the deposition of the study section:(1) the deep, offshore settings in the aphotic zone dominated by pelagic and small benthic foraminifera;(2) the low energy, turbid and low light parts of the oligophotic zone characterized by large and flat lepidocyclinids(Eulepidina) and Nummulitidae;(3) the low turbidity,deeper part of the inner ramp dominated by Miogypsinoides, Neorotalia, Lepidocyclina, Operculina and Archias;(4) the shallow, marginal marine environment exposed to salinity fluctuations(short-term salinity fluctuations or fully marine conditions) dominated by small benthic Foraminifera(Ammonia and Elphidium);(5) highly translucent, shallowest part of the inner ramp dominated by representatives of Borelis, Meandropsina and Peneroplis. The biotic assemblages represent warm tropical waters with oligotrophic to slightly mesotrophic conditions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Guembelitria</Emphasis> (foraminifera) in the upper cretaceous-lower paleocene succession of the Langpar Formation,India and its paleoenvironmental implication

Guembelitria is an essential biotic component in the Late Cretaceous-Early Paleogene (K/Pg) marine successions to provide crucial information about the K/Pg boundary; however, it is not well studied in Indian subcontinent. Biostratigraphically well constrained K/Pg successions of Therriaghat and Mahadeo in the East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India provided a scope to present a comprehensive account of the genus in the perspective of differences of opinion about its species. A total of six species including Guembelitria langparensis n. sp., are recognized and their stratigraphic distribution is recorded. A review of the taxonomic validity of the known species, an evaluation of the diverse concepts of Guembelitria cretacea Cushman, and semiquantitative analysis of the recovered species permitted their clustering into two morphogroups that had different ecology. Morphogroup I comprising Guembelitria cretacea, Guembelitria trifolia and Guembelitria langparensis n. sp., is characterized by flared and short spire tests that form a bioseries and thrived as surface floaters. Morphogroup II comprising Guembelitria irregularis, Guembelitria danica and Guembelitria sp a, possesses high spire, narrow tests that have morphological abnormalities and had preference for living in subsurface stressed environment. The occurrence of the species and accompanying other features like ratio of planktonic to benthic foraminifera (p/b), lithologic assemblage and incidence of phosphorite, are used to infer depositional environments and sea level changes during successive biozones of the sequence. The recognized Guembelitria events during the K/Pg transition are discussed with reference to world occurrences.     

Effects of hypoxic disturbances on an estuarine nekton assemblage across multiple scales

Disturbances influence ecological communities over a wide range of scales. We investigated the effects of localized hypoxic disturbances on an estuarine fish assemblage at several spatial (m² and 10s km²) and temporal (days, seasons, years) scales in a multivariate framework (temperature, salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen). We examined whether seasons, years) scales in a multivariate framework (temperature, salinity, depth, dissolved oxygen). We examined whether there were consistent changes in fish and crustacean estuarine assemblage characteristics along environmental gradients and whether these relationships were altered by hypoxic disturbances. We also investigated at what scale dissolved oxygen concentration may be influencing the structure of motile estuarine assemblages and whether the size of the hypoxic zone altered its effects on the estuarine assemblage. Hypoxic disturbances altered fish and crustacean assemblages along the depth gradients that were present during well-oxygenated periods. Species diversity, richness, and catch rates were lower in hypoxic patches than in oxygenated areas. Dissolved oxygen concentration remained an important explanatory variable for patch-level assemblage dissimilarity, species richness, and diversity when data were aggregated across seasons. When we examined the data at a larger scale, by aggregating information across the study area, we did not detect influences of hypoxia on assemblage structure. Fish moved out of local hypoxic zones, but remained within the estuary even in years with extensive hypoxia. There was no effect of size of the hypoxic distrubance on whether organisms responded to hypoxia or on diversity or richness of the study site. These results suggest that these local disturbances play an important role in structuring motile species assemblages at a patch-level within an estuary, but regional factors such as recruitment and migration are important in influencing species assemblages for the entire estuary over months and years.     

Response of deep-sea ostracod assemblages to Late Cretaceous palaeoceanographical changes: ODP Site 689 in the Southern Ocean

Twenty-six deep-sea ostracod species are described from the late Campanian to late Maastrichtian of ODP Site 689 in the Southern Ocean. Three are described as new:Cytherelloidea megaspirocostata,Agulhasina sudoceanicaandPennyella foveolata. Correspondence analysis identified three faunal sample groups. The first is mainly characterised byA. sudoceanica,Kirthesp. andCytherellasp. This is replaced, first temporarily (betweenc. 71 and 69 Ma) by a group mainly characterised byArgilloeciaspp. andC. megaspirocostata, possibly a consequence of a short-lived global palaeoceanographic event marked by increased ventilation and cooling of intermediate waters at site 689. It then reappears before finally being replaced by a third group largely characterised byEucytherecf.circumcostata,P. foveolataandDutoitella mimicaDingle. This final change is coeval with a marked increase in the faunal density of ostracods, probably owing to an increase in food supply. However, the oxygen isotopic records of benthonic foraminifera suggests that the replacement of the first ostracod group by the third is a result of the long term Maastrichtian cooling of intermediate waters at high latitudes. This replacement is also coeval with a gradual change in benthonic foraminiferal assemblages at site 689. It is suggested, therefore, thatPennyellaandDutoitellahad a greater potential of adapting to successively colder palaeoceanographical conditions thanAgulhasina. The former genera have a cosmopolitan deep-sea distribution today.     

Estuarine Foraminifera from the Gulf of Cambay

A low diversity, epifaunal to infaunal Foraminiferal assemblage widely distributed in sand flats, mud flats and marshes along the coastal tracts of the Gulf of Cambay. It is dominated by the species of Ammonia, Rotalidium, Murrayinella, Haynesina, Quinqueloculina, Nonionella, Florilus, Elphidium, Trochammina and Miliammina. A triserial planktonic foraminifer Gallitellia vivans, an indicator of stressed and upwelling areas, is also characteristically present in the sediments of the estuaries. The paper discusses the systematics and distribution of the Foraminiferal species in the macrotidal estuaries of the Gulf of Cambay.     

The middle Turonian Daliyya type section in Israel: biostratigraphy,palaeoenvironment and sea-level changes

The type section of the marly Daliyya Formation in Daliyat el Karmil, northern Israel, has been examined for planktonic foraminifera and ostracods. The coexisting assemblages of the upper part of the Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica total range zone (= Marginotruncana sigali interval zone) and of the Cythereis rawashensis kenaanensis assemblage zone indicate that this succession is middle Turonian in age. The depth of deposition varied from neritic (100–200 m) to shallow (≈50 m) with a short littoral episode. The palaeobathymetric oscillations agree rather well with global sea-level changes. Included in this paper are taxonomic remarks on some of the foraminifera and ostracods.     

Macrofaunal Spatial Patterns in Relationship to Environmental Variables in the Richibucto Estuary,New Brunswick,Canada

Estuarine macrobenthos respond to a variety of environmental gradients such as sediment type and salinity, and organic enrichment. A relatively new influence, organic loading from suspended bivalve culture, has the potential to alter this response. A study on soft-bottom macrobenthic communities was carried out in the Richibucto estuary (46°40′N, 64°50′W), New Brunswick, Canada, with samples collected from 18 stations in late September and early October 2006. The site consisted of a large tidal channel originating upstream in a small river. The channel was punctuated by bag culture of oysters along its length. A total of 88 species were recorded. The mean values of abundance, species richness, and diversity (H′) of macrofauna were 11,199 ind. m⁻² (ranged from 4,371 to 19,930 ind. m⁻²), 23.4 species grab⁻¹ and 3.29 grab⁻¹, respectively. In general species richness and H′ increased from the upper estuary to the estuarine mouth. Multivariate analyses clearly exhibited the spatial distribution in community structure, which coincided with the locations along the estuary (the upper, the lower and the mouth), as well as inside and outside the channel. Species richness and diversity H′ showed strong positive correlations with salinity (21.2–25.2 ppt), and abundance was positively correlated with water depth (1.0–4.5 m). Abundance and species richness were negatively correlated with both of silt–clay fraction (3.3–24.8%) and sorting (σ_I). Species richness was also negatively correlated with organic content (1.9–12.7%). The BIO-ENV analyses identified silt–clay fraction, σ_I and salinity as the major environmental variable combination influencing the macrofaunal patterns, and silt–clay fraction as the single best-correlated variable.     

Intertidal foraminifera from the Savitri estuary,west coast,Maharashtra and their implications on the depositional environment

The benthic foraminifera from the Savitri estuary are being reported for the first time. The faunal analyses reveal the occurrence of mixed assemblage. It is observed that Trochammina inflata is the most dominant species and appears to be the indigenous to mangrove environment.     

What have natural and human changes wrought on the foraminifera of San Francisco Bay late Quaternary estuaries?

In this study we compare the foraminifera of modern South San Francisco Bay with fossils from sediments of a previous estuary at 125 ka to provide a basis for interpreting the impact of natural and human change on the benthic ecosystem. All the species found in the Pleistocene sediments of this study are estuarine and/or shallow-water species occurring commonly in San Francisco Bay today, except for the introduced foraminifer Trochammina hadai, a native of Japan that was not found in samples taken in San Francisco Bay before 1983. The biodiversity and species composition of the fossil and modern assemblages before the introduction of T. hadai are nearly identical, suggesting that the environmental and physical changes in the 125,000-year-old and modern estuaries have not had a significant effect on the meiofauna of the Bay. In contrast, modern anthropogenic change in the form of species introductions has impacted the modern foraminiferal assemblage: T. hadai began to dominate the modern assemblage a decade after its introduction. Similar to the recorded impacts of introductions of marine metazoan invertebrate species, the dominance of T. hadai changed species proportions in the post-1980s foraminiferal assemblage, however no known extinctions in the native foraminiferal fauna occurred.     

Micropaleontological record of Holocene estuarine stages in the Bahía Blanca estuary,Argentina

Holocene paleoenvironmental changes have been interpreted on the basis of benthic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils recovered in samples from Napostá Grande Stream, Bahía Blanca estuary, southern Buenos Aires Province. Samples are fine sands and clay sediments from a Holocene outcrop and were studied with quantitative techniques. The benthic foraminiferal assemblage is dominated by Ammonia parkinsoniana, Ammonia tepida, Bolivina pseudoplicata, Bolivina striatula, Bolivina sp., Buccella peruviana, and Elphidium spp. The calcareous nannofossil assemblage recovered is a typical cold-water association, dominated by Calcidiscus leptoporus, Coccolithus pelagicus, Emiliana huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica. A dendrogram classification by cluster analysis was made for each microfossil group. The results of these analyses were coincident, showing a liaison between changes in the assemblages of benthic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils. Those results, jointly with the sedimentological information, lead to the identification of three different paleoenvironments along the Napostá N1 site. The lower part of the succession represents an estuarine environment with larger marine connection. The middle part represents a gradual passage to a more restricted estuarine environment, and the upper part represents the establishment of the modern continental fresh-water environment.     

Anthropogenic impact on Andaman coast monitoring with benthic foraminifera,Andaman Sea,India

The concept of anthropogenic impact is extremely important to be considered while analysing the ecology of coast and shelf zones. For centuries, these zones have been the epicentres for various human activities, including urbanisation, construction of sea ports and harbours, development of natural reservoirs (including oil production and fishing), marine aquaculture, shipping, recreation and many others. Many of the activities in progress on both sides of the shoreline provide 50% or more of the gross State/UT (Union Tertiary) product for surrounding states. The data shows that land-based and atmospheric sources account for about two-thirds of the total contamination found in the marine environment, constituting 44 and 33%, respectively. The greatest anthropogenic pollution pressure undoubtedly falls on the shelf zones and coastal areas. To prove this theory, a total of 25 bottom sediment samples were collected within the depth zone of 5 fathoms from the South Andaman coastal fringe for sediment geochemistry studies and foraminiferal analysis. The samples were further analysed for heavy metal pollutants like Co, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn. The study yielded 20 benthic foraminiferal species. Of these, five benthic species were living including Ammonia beccarii, Calcarine calcar, Elphidium crispum, Operculina complanata and Nonion deppresula. The presence of deformed specimens and the domination of Ammonia spp. are indications of a polluted environment. Sampled coral reefs had high abundances of Operculina spp. The highest counts of benthic microbiota were found in finer sediment. Species diversity is very limited along the coastal fringe of South Andaman Island in comparison with fauna from the coast of India. This first report of benthic foraminifera from South Andaman Island will allow us to assess future impacts of marine pollution because foraminiferal deformations are positively correlated to the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn).     

The upper Cenomanian–lower Turonian carbonate platform of the Preafrican Trough,Morocco: Biostratigraphic,paleoecological and paleobiogeographical distribution of ostracods

The upper Cenomanian–lower Turonian paleoenvironments of the Preafrican Trough carbonate platform is characterized by analyzing the structure of the ostracod assemblages and the information provided by other groups, and also by linking together the paleontological and geochemical data (detrital influx-redox-paleoproductivity proxies, δ¹³C curve). Two different domains (eastern and western) can be recognized on the platform during the late Cenomanian, before the onset of the OAE2. The western domain corresponds to a low-energy environment developed on a mid and/or outer ramp with hypoxic waters, low detrital influx and low paleoproductivity. The paleoecological assemblages show limited specific diversity but variable density. The ostracods are opportunistic and unspecialized (r strategists), being associated with Buliminidae, surface and intermediate-water planktonic foraminifera, and fishes. The eastern domain corresponds to an inner ramp and/or peritidal environment with oxic waters, low detrital influx and low paleoproductivity, developed in a higher energy environment with paleoecological assemblages showing high diversity but variable density. The ostracods are more specialized (K strategists), being represented by diverse and constant assemblages associated with diversified benthic foraminifera, calcareous sponges and echinoderms, as well as intermediate- and deep-water planktonic foraminifera. The onset of the OAE2 has no influence on the western ostracod assemblages, but leads to the decline of the ostracod fauna and the disappearance of the deep-water planktonic foraminifera in the eastern domain. During the early Turonian, after the OAE2, the platform becomes an outer ramp with increased paleoproductivity, but is associated with a decrease of taxonomic diversity in hypoxic waters. The ostracods are very sparse and unspecialized, associated with siliceous sponges, Buliminidae, surface-living planktonic foraminifera, fishes and pelagic crinoids. Marine paleobiogeographic communication is relatively easy across the carbonate platforms between the Preafrican Trough and other Moroccan regions, as well as between Morocco and different parts of the South Tethyan and East Atlantic margins belonging to the Cenomanian–Turonian South Tethyan Ostracod Province (STOP). Thirteen new species are described: Cytherella tazzouguertensis n. sp., Bairdiacypris chaabetensis n. sp., Bythocypris amelkisensis n. sp., Pontocypris tadighoustensis n. sp., Procytherura? elongatissima n. sp., Loxoconcha akrabouensis n. sp., Hemiparacytheridea sagittaemucronata n. sp., Rehacythereis errachidiaensis n. sp., Rehacythereis zizensis n. sp., Veenia (Nigeria) tardaensis n. sp., Veenia (Nigeria) mediacostarobusta n. sp., Xestoleberis? preafricanensis n. sp., and Xestoleberis circinatus n. sp.     

First report of some Recent benthic foraminifera from the east coast of India

Twelve Recent benthic foraminiferal species hitherto not reported from the east and west coasts of India are presented and illustrated. They are, namely- Bolivina semicostata, Elphidium subgranulosum, Hanzawaia nipponica, Planorbulina variabilis, Pseudononion japponicum, Reussella haizumensis, Rosalina bradyi, Adelosina sp., Lagina sp. A, Lagina sp. B, Uvigerina sp. A and Uvigerina sp. B.     

Environmental Determinants of Emergent Macrophyte Vegetation in Pacific Northwest Estuarine Tidal Wetlands

We investigated whether within wetland environmental conditions or surrounding land cover measured at multiple scales were more influential in structuring regional vegetation patterns in estuarine tidal wetlands in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Surrounding land cover was characterized at the 100, 250, and 1,000 m, and watershed buffer scales. Vegetation communities were characterized by high species richness, lack of monotypic zonation, and paucity of invasive species. The number of species per site ranged between 4 and 20 (mean?±?standard deviation?=?10.2?±?3.1). Sites supported a high richness (mean richness of native species 8.7?±?2.8) and abundance of native macrophytes (mean relative abundance 85 %?±?19 %). Vegetation assemblages were dominated by a mix of grasses, sedges, and herbs with Sarcocornia pacifica and Distichlis spicata being common at sites in the oceanic zone of the estuary and Carex lyngbyei and Agrostis stolonifera being common at the fresher sites throughout the study area. The vegetation community was most strongly correlated with salinity and land cover within close proximity to the study site and less so with land cover variables at the watershed scale. Total species richness and richness of native species were negatively correlated with the amount of wetland in the buffer at all scales, while abundance of invasive species was significantly correlated to within wetland factors, including salinity and dissolved phosphorus concentrations. Landscape factors related to anthropogenic disturbances were only important at the 100-m buffer scale, with anthropogenic disturbances further from the wetland not being influential in shaping the vegetation assemblage. Our research suggests that the traditional paradigms of tidal wetland vegetation structure and environmental determinants developed in east coast US tidal wetlands might not hold true for Pacific Northwest wetlands due to their unique chemical and physical factors, necessitating further detailed study of these systems.     

长江口砂坝地区全新世沉积与古地理

本文通过对长江口砂坝地区的三个钻孔的岩性岩相结构特征和微体古生物综合分析,在全新世地层中发现有四个沉积层和相应的四个微体化石层。它们分别指示了该地层经历了(由下往上)由滨海—河流相→滨海—河口相→浅海相→河口相的环境演变过程;古气候则显示为从温凉干旱→湿暖略干→暖热湿润→温暖湿润四次波动发展过程:并认为该区全新世地层可以四分,即古全新世、早全新世,中全新世、晚全新世。