Deep-sea suprabenthos assemblages (Crustacea) off the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean): Mesoscale variability in diversity and production

The composition of suprabenthic crustacean assemblages, their diversity, production (P) and production/biomass (P/B) ratios, were analyzed at species level along two transects situated to the north (N) and south (S) of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean) at depths between 134 m and 760 m, based on a ca. bi-monthly sampling performed between August 2003 and June 2004. Differences with depth and season in assemblage composition and diversity were analyzed as a function of the contrasting environmental features (e.g. water mass dynamics) of the two areas. We identified 187 species (18 decapods, 5 euphausiids, 16 mysids, 76 gammaridean amphipods, 13 hyperiids, 1 caprellid, 21 isopods and 37 cumaceans). Substantial mesoscale variability in the deep-sea suprabenthic assemblages coupled with diversity trends between the N and S transects were found. Seasonality was the most important gradient influencing the dynamics of suprabenthos over the upper (350 m) and middle (650–750 m) slope in the N area. Conversely, the S area appeared to be more stable temporally with depth as the main gradient inducing assemblage differences. Different depth-related patterns were observed both for diversity and P/B. To the north diversity was very low at the shelf-break, increasing on the upper-slope (H′ > 3.00) and then decreasing again on the middle-slope. To the south diversity increased smoothly downward, reaching the highest values on the middle-slope. Regarding productivity, P/B was highest at intermediate depths to the north (over ca. 450–500 m), while to the south highest P/Bs were found deeper (over ca. 600–650 m). The higher P/B at intermediate depths found along N are likely due to higher % of organic matter (OM) in sediments, a product of oceanographic frontal systems. In particular, P/B was higher along N among omnivores and detritus feeders (e.g. Andaniexis mimonectes, Lepechinella manco and combined cumaceans), coupled to enriched OM in sediments, while along S mesoplanktonic carnivores (Rhachotropis spp.) had higher P/Bs. We conclude that on the north slope the influence of frontal systems and more active flow dynamics of different water masses (WIW and LIW) increases natural disturbance in the area, increasing productivity and diversity of suprabenthic peracarids in the Benthic Boundary Layer. Also, species showed a displacement of their average distributions (their Centres of Gravity, CoG) to shallower depths along N, which is another indicator of more favorable habitat conditions for suprabenthos in the 400–500 m range at N.     

海洋真菌及其生物活性物质多样性研究

海洋微生物种类繁多,是筛选新药的丰富资源宝库。近些年来,作为海洋微生物中重要的组成部分的海洋真菌正成为研究的热点,越来越受到国内外学者的关注。本文详细概述了海洋真菌的定义、分布、海洋真菌研究的历史和现状、其所产生的生物活性物质多样性以及存在的问题。     

我国湿地植物多样性研究进展

湿地植物多样性是生物多样性研究的重要内容,对于维持湿地生态功能、生态系统稳定有重要作用。简要概述了不同湿地类型的湿地植物多样性研究,以此为基础重点总结了湿地植物多样性与土壤肥力、水文水质、人为干扰之间的关系,并探讨了湿地植物多样性研究的方法和层次。我国湿地植物多样性的研究开展较晚,为提高研究的整体水平还需要与现实案例的结合和高新科技的支持。     

梅雨锋的典型结构、多样性和多尺度特征

在天气尺度梅雨锋的天气学定义基础上,利用GMS-5静止卫星红外云图、常规气象探空资料、NCEP再分析与最终分析资料对2002年长江流域典型梅雨期6月26—28日和二度梅期间7月23日、1998年5月梅雨与7月二度梅共4个梅雨锋个例进行了分析与比较,归纳了梅雨锋结构多样性;并着重对典型梅雨期的梅雨锋发展过程、水平以及垂直结构进行了多种物理量场(包括风场、温度场、急流、锋区、假相当位温、散度、垂直速度、静力稳定度等)的综合分析。结果表明,不同的个例,不同的地区和时期,一次梅雨过程的不同阶段,梅雨锋的结构和性质都有可能不同,它可以从比较接近极锋的性质过渡到接近赤道锋的性质。在水平结构上梅雨锋是在高、低纬度不同尺度的环流系统共同作用下形成的,从而造成了梅雨锋结构具有丰富的多样性。对典型梅雨锋结构进行综合分析表明梅雨锋对流层中下层锋面由强假相当位温水平梯度形成;梅雨锋南侧为暖湿气团、北侧为变性气团;梅雨锋南面为西南季风、北面为偏东气流;梅雨锋的上升运动和强降水主要发生在梅雨锋的前沿;梅雨锋上方对流层上半部存在与副热带高空急流相配合的高空副热带锋;对流层上部的高空热带东风与副热带高空西风急流构成了梅雨锋降水的高空辐散流场。根据典型期梅雨锋以及二度梅倾斜型梅雨锋的对流层上、中、下水平环流特征,给出了梅雨锋的多尺度概念模型,主要包括中低纬度系统相互作用、对流层高层的行星尺度的环流系统副热带高空西风急流、高空热带东风急流与南亚高压、对流层中层的副热带高压与北方的短波槽以及对流层低层的行星尺度季风和切变线。     

东海蟹类群落结构特征的研究

依据1998年5月(春季)、8月(夏季)、11月(秋季)和1999年2月(冬季)在东海26°00′—33°00′N、127°00′E以西海域的蟹类资源调查资料,对东海蟹类群落结构的特征进行了定量分析。结果表明,东海蟹类优势种有双斑、银光梭子蟹、细点圆趾蟹、长手隆背蟹、日本、武士、锈斑、三疣梭子蟹、泥脚隆背蟹、锐刺长蟹和纤手梭子蟹。其中银光梭子蟹、细点圆趾蟹、双斑和三疣梭子蟹是东海蟹类的主要优势种。常见种是艾氏牛角蟹、红星梭子蟹、绵蟹、变态、光掌、十一刺栗壳蟹、七刺栗壳蟹、象牙长螯蟹、卷折馒头蟹、直额、武装筐形蟹和显著琼娜蟹。种类组成特征方面,冬、春季蟹类少数优势种的优势性明显,秋季优势度种间差异不明显。种类数比较:东海南部最多(57种),中部次之(45种),北部最少(仅37种);不同季节间,春季最多(57种),其次是夏季(53种),秋、冬季较少(仅49种);水深越深的水域,种类数越多。多样性比较:冬、春、秋3季,从北到南,蟹类多样性逐渐增高,且随着水深加深而增大;夏季不同,水深小于40m的浅海多样性指数最高。东海蟹类共可分为3个生态类群,即广温广盐生态类群、高温广盐生态类群和高温高盐生态类群。     

Molluskan species richness and endemism on New Caledonian seamounts: Are they enhanced compared to adjacent slopes?

Seamounts were often considered as ‘hotspots of diversity’ and ‘centers of endemism’, but recently this opinion has been challenged. After 25 years of exploration and the work of numerous taxonomists, the Norfolk Ridge (Southwest Pacific) is probably one of the best-studied seamount chains worldwide. However, even in this intensively explored area, the richness and the geographic patterns of diversity are still poorly characterized. Among the benthic organisms, the post-mortem remains of mollusks can supplement live records to comprehensively document geographical distributions. Moreover, the accretionary growth of mollusk shells informs us about the life span of the pelagic larva. To compare diversity and level of endemism between the Norfolk Ridge seamounts and the continental slopes of New Caledonia we used species occurrence data drawn from (i) the taxonomic literature on mollusks and (ii) a raw dataset of mainly undescribed deep-sea species of the hyperdiverse Turridae. Patterns of endemism and species richness were analyzed through quantitative indices of endemism and species richness estimator metrics. To date, 403 gastropods and bivalves species have been recorded on the Norfolk Ridge seamounts. Of these, at least 38 species (∼10%) are potentially endemic to the seamounts and nearly all of 38 species have protoconchs indicating lecithotrophic larval development. Overall, our results suggest that estimates of species richness and endemism, when sampling effort is taken into account, were not significantly different between slopes and seamounts. By including in our analyses 347 undescribed morphospecies from the Norfolk Ridge, our results also demonstrate the influence of taxonomic bias on our estimates of species richness and endemism.     

Riparian vegetation dynamics across two different landscapes along the river Cauvery in the Kodagu region of Western Ghats

Decades of commercial planting and other anthropogenic processes are posing a threat to the riparian landscapes of the Cauvery river basin, which supports a high floral diversity. Despite this, the habitats in the upstream sections of the River Cauvery are still intact, as they are located in sacred groves. To understand the dynamism of riparian forests exposed to anthropogenic pressures, the upstream stretch of Cauvery extending from Kushalanagara to Talacauvery (~102 km) was categorized into two landscapes: agro ecosystem and sacred (i.e. preserved). The tree species were sampled using belt transects at 5 km intervals and the regeneration status of endemic species assessed using quadrats. A total of 128 species belonging to 47 families, and representing 1,590 individuals, was observed. Amongst them, 65% of unique species were exclusive to sacred landscapes. A rarefaction plot confirmed higher species richness for the sacred compared to the agro ecosystem landscapes, and diversity indices with more evenness in distribution were evident in sacred landscapes. A significant loss of endemic tree species in the agro ecosystem landscapes was found. Overall, this study demonstrates that an intense biotic pressure in terms of plantations and other anthropogenic activities have altered the species composition of the riparian zone in non-sacred areas. A permanent policy implication is required for the conservation of riparian buffers to avoid further ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity.     

2009—2012年泉州湾大型底栖生物多样性研究

文章根据2009—2012年泉州湾4个航次的调查资料,对比分析了4年间大型底栖生物的种类数、生物量、栖息密度、生物多样性的变化趋势。结果表明：泉州湾大型底栖生物有103种,其中多毛类48种,软体动物25种,甲壳动物18种,棘皮动物6种和其他动物6种。多毛类、软体动物、甲壳动物占总种数的88.3%,三者构成大型底栖生物的主要类群。泉州湾大型底栖生物平均生物量为7.77 g/m2,平均栖息密度76个/m2;数量组成,生物量以甲壳动物居首位2.40 g/m2;栖息密度以多毛类占第一位38个/m2。泉州湾大型底栖生物种类数、生物量、栖息密度、生物多样性均为湾中部及湾外较好,湾顶较差;从2009—2012年际变化来看,生物种类数、平均生物量、平均栖息密度均为2009年最好,2012年相对较差,生物多样性年际变化不大,说明泉州湾的大型底栖生物环境受到了一定的影响。     

The international legal framework for marine spatial planning

Increasing demand for ocean resources, both living and non-living, have already lead to loss of biodiversity, habitat depletion and irreversible damage to the marine environment. Furthermore, introduction of new kinds of sea uses, spatial extension of ongoing sea uses and the need to better protect and conserve the marine biological diversity will result in increasing conflicts among the various users, as well as between the users and the environment. Marine spatial planning as a process to allocate space for specific uses can help to avoid user conflicts, to improve the management of marine spatial claims, and to sustain an ecosystem-based management of ocean and seas. This article explores the rights and duties towards exploitation and protection of the marine environment under the jurisdiction of coastal states as reflected in two important global conventions, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Both Conventions provide the main legal framework for marine spatial planning that have to be taken into account in planning at the regional and national level.     

Benthic macrofauna and productivity regimes in the Barents Sea — Ecological implications in a changing Arctic

Benthic faunal assemblages were analysed from 47 stations in the central and southern parts of the Barents Sea, together with sedimentary and water column parameters, daily ice records and modelled integrated primary productivity. Sampling spanned areas influenced by Atlantic Water (AW) to those lying under Arctic Water (ArW), and included stations with mixed water masses. Ice cover suppressed water column productivity in the northern areas. Three main faunal groups were identified, based on similarity of numerical faunal composition. The northern and southern faunal groups were separated by the northernmost penetration of AW in the bottom water and the third group, the Hopen group, was influenced by modified bank water. Faunal abundances were significantly higher within the southern faunal group relative to the northern group, but the numbers of taxa present were similar. The particularly rich fauna of the Hopen group reflected sediment heterogeneity and tight pelagic–benthic coupling. These results suggest that a retreat and thinning of the ice cover in the Barents Sea likely will result in the northern parts of the Barents Sea becoming more Atlantic in character, with a higher productivity at the sea floor.