共查询到20条相似文献，搜索用时 696 毫秒
1.
In a large (8 ha) salt marsh restoration site, we tested the effects of excavating tidal creeks patterned after reference
systems. Our purposes were to enhance understanding of tidal creek networks and to test the need to excavate creeks during
salt marsh restoration. We compared geomorphic changes in areas with and without creek networks (n = 3; each area 1.3 ha)
and monitored creek cross-sectional areas, creek lengths, vertical accretion, and marsh surface elevations for 5 yr that included
multiple sedimentation events. We hypothesized that cells with creeks would develop different marsh surface and creek network
characteristics (i.e., surface elevation change, sedimentation rate, creek cross-sectional area, length, and drainage density).
Marsh surface vertical accretion averaged 1.3 cm yr−1 with large storm inputs, providing the opportunity to assess the response of the drainage network to extreme sedimentation
rates. The constructed creeks initially filled due to high accretion rates but stabilized at cross-sectional areas matching,
or on a trajectory toward, equilibrium values predicted by regional regression equations. Sedimentation on the marsh surface
was greatest in low elevation areas and was not directly influenced by creeks. Time required for cross-sectional area stabilization
ranged from 0 to > 5 yr, depending on creek order. First-order constructed creeks lengthened rapidly (mean rate of 1.3 m yr−1) in areas of low elevation and low vegetation cover. New (volunteer) creeks formed rapidly in cells without creeks in areas
with low elevation, low vegetation cover, and high elevation gradient (mean rate of 6.2 m yr−1). After 5 yr, volunteer creeks were, at most, one-fourth the area of constructed creeks and had not yet reached the upper
marsh plain. In just 4 yr, the site’s drainage density expanded from 0.018 to reference levels of 0.022 m m−2. Pools also formed on the marsh plain due to sediment resuspension associated with wind-driven waves. We conclude that excavated
creeks jump-started the development of drainage density and creek and channel dimensions, and that the tidal prism became
similar to those of the reference site in 4–5 yr. 相似文献
2.
This two-part study examined the benthic macrofaunal community in Delaware salt marsh impoundments having partial tidal restriction. The first part compared abundance, diversity, and taxonomic composition in three habitat types in impoundments—creeks, vegetated creek banks, and ponds—to those found in natural marshes. Impoundment effects were present but were habitat-specific. Abundances were higher in natural marsh creeks than in impoundment creeks, and diversities were higher in impoundment ponds than in natural marsh ponds. Vegetated bank communities in impoundments were about 50% insects and arachnids and 50% oligochaetes, while natural bank communities were primarily oligochaetes and the polychaeteManayunkia aestuarina. This is likely due to the decrease in flooding of the vegetated high marsh caused by partial impoundment. Pond and creek community composition also showed impoundment effects: in comparison with natural marshes, impoundments had higher proportions of the burrowing anemoneNematostella vectensis, nemerteans, andTubificoides sp. oligochaetes and lower proportions of the oligochaeteClitellio arenarius. The second part of the study compared benthic macrofauna in an impoundment before, during, and after the water level was lowered so that some bottom sediments were exposed and some covered with just a few centimeters of water for several weeks. During this event, macrofaunal abundances were reduced and the community shifted from being dominated by annelids, anemones, and nemerteans toward one dominated by annelids and insects. About 6 wk after reflooding, persistent effects of this disturbance were still suggested by greatly increased abundances and 96% dominance by one species of oligochaete,Paranais litoralis. Impoundment management plans calling for periods of sediment exposure or very low water may want to consider the potential for strong and persistent effects on the macrofaunal community. 相似文献
3.
Large-scale marsh restoration efforts were conducted to restore normal salt marsh structure and function to degraded marshes
(i.e., former salt hay farms) in the mesohaline lower Delaware Bay. While nekton response has been previously evaluated for
the marsh surface and subtidal creeks in these marshes, little effort has been focused on intertidal creeks. Nekton response
in intertidal creeks was evaluated by sampling with seines to determine if restored (i.e., former salt hay farms restored
in 1996) and reference (i.e., natural or relatively undisturbed) salt marshes were utilized by intertidal nekton in a similar
manner. The overall nekton assemblage during June–October 2004–2005 was generally comprised of the same species in both the
restored and reference marshes. Intertidal creek catches in both marsh types consisted primarily ofFundulus heteroclitus andMenidia menidia, with varying numbers of less abundant transient species present. Transient nekton were more abundant at restored marshes
than reference marshes, but in insufficient numbers to cause differences in nekton assemblages. In both marsh types, low tide
stages were characterized by resident nekton, dominated byF. heteroclitus, while high tide stages were characterized by a variable mix of transient and resident nekton. Assemblage level analyses
indicated that intertidal creeks in restored and reference marshes were generally utilized in a similar manner by a similar
nekton assemblage, so restoration efforts were deemed successful. This is in agreement with multiple comparative studies from
the ame marshes examining fish, invertebrates, and vegetation in different marsh habitats. 相似文献
4.
R. Scott Warren Paul E. Fell Jonna L. Grimsby Erika L. Buck G. Chris Rilling Rachel A. Fertik 《Estuaries and Coasts》2001,24(1):90-107
Phragmites expansion rates (linear at 1–3% yr−1) and impacts of this expansion on high marsh macroinvertebrates, aboveground production, and litter decomposition fromPhragmites and other marsh graminoids were studied along a polyhaline to oligohaline gradient. These parameters, and fish use of creeks and high marsh, were also studied inPhragmites control sites (herbicide, mowing, and combined herbicide/mow treatments).Phragmites clones established without obvious site preferences on oligohaline marshes, expanding radially. At higher salinities,Phragmites preferentially colonized creekbank levees and disturbed upland borders, then expanded into the central marsh. Hydroperiods, but not salinities or water table, distinguishedPhragmites-dominated transects. Pooled samples ofPhragmites leaves, stems, and flowers decompose more slowly than other marsh angiosperms;Phragmites leaves alone decompose as or more rapidly than those of cattail. AbovegroundPhragmites production was 1,300 to 2,400 g m−2 (about 23% of this as leaves), versus 600–800 g m−2 for polyhaline to mesohaline meadow and 1,300 g m−2 for oligohaline cattail-sedge marsh. Macroinvertebrates appear largely unaffected byPhragmites expansion or control efforts; distribution and densities are unrelated to elevation or hydroperiod, but densities are positively related to litter cover. Dominant fish captured leaving flooded marsh wereFundulus heteroclitus andAnguilla rostrata; both preyed heavily on marsh macroinvertebrates.A. rostrata andMorone americana tended to be more common inPhragmites, but otherwise there were no major differences in use patterns betweenPhragmites and brackish meadow vegetation. SAV and macroalgal cover were markedly lower within aPhragmites-dominated creek versus one withSpartina-dominated banks. The same fish species assemblage was trapped in both plus a third within the herbicide/mow treatment. Fish biomass was greatest from theSpartina creek and lowest from thePhragmites creek, reflecting abundances ofF. heteroclitus. Mowing depressedPhragmites aboveground production and increased stem density, but was ineffective for control.Phragmites, Spartina patens, andJuncus gerardii frequencies after herbicide-only treatment were 0.53-0.21; total live cover was <8% with a heavy litter and dense standing dead stems. After two growing seasonsAgrostis stolonifera/S. patens/J. gerardii brackish meadow characterized most of the herbicide/mow treatment area;Phragmites frequency here was 0.53, contributing 3% cover. Both values more than doubled after four years; a single treatment is ineffective for long-termPhragmites control. 相似文献
5.
Salt marsh plant communities are regulated by feedback processes involving hydrologic regimes, disturbance, and marsh physical characteristics, and as expected differ among habitat types. Using three barrier beach salt marshes along the Gulf of Maine, we examined the effects of ditching and ditch-plugging on plant characteristics by means of comparisons to natural creek and pool habitats. Results indicated that ditch and creek habitats were similar in terms of species richness and diversity of emergent vascular plants, but cover and biomass were significantly higher in habitat adjacent to creeks. Plant composition in ditch habitat was distinguished by the higher percentage of forb species (associated with poor drainage), while the proportion of tall-form Spartina alterniflora was much higher in creek habitat (associated with sloping banks of creeks). These results are indicative of differences in hydrologic and disturbance regimes that can influence competitive and facilitative interactions, habitat structure, and heterogeneity. Results for pool comparisons indicated that plant characteristics were significantly different between ditch-plug and natural pools. Species richness, diversity, and biomass were significantly lower in ditch-plug habitat compared with all other habitats, and plant cover averaged only 30 % in habitat adjacent to ditch-plugs, which was significantly lower than all other habitats. These differences have ecological implications in terms of habitat structure and function of ditch-plug habitat. In addition, increased stress leading to plant dieback due to ditch-plugging has resulted in subsidence that can decrease the stability of ditch-plug habitat and expedite the loss of salt marsh habitat, especially with rising sea levels. 相似文献
6.
John D. Lopez Mark S. Peterson Jake Walker Gretchen L. Grammer Mark S. Woodrey 《Estuaries and Coasts》2011,34(1):148-158
The saltmarsh topminnow (Fundulus jenkinsi) is federally listed as a Species of Concern due to a its rarity, impacts from human activities, and lack of information
on its biology and ecology. From 2007 through 2008, we used Breder traps to fish the marsh edge on a falling tide in four
regions from Louisiana through the Florida panhandle during winter, spring, and summer periods. Out of 2,108 Breder traps
deployed, 661 F. jenkinsi were collected as far east as Escambia Bay, Florida, with Weeks Bay, National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), Alabama,
yielding the highest F. jenkinsi abundance. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to ordinate physical–chemical data into two meaningful components:
a geomorphic axis (water depth, bank slope, and plant stem density) and a seasonal/spatial axis of species occurrence (water
temperature, salinity, and turbidity). PCA showed a higher mean catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) in environments comprised of
low to moderate stem density (<25 stems/0.25 m−2), depth (<25 cm), bank slope (<15°), turbidity (<30 NTU), and salinity (<16) coupled with spring and early summer water temperatures
(>15°C). F. jenkinsi CPUE was significantly higher in Spartina cynosuroides marsh edge compared with five other habitat types, even though it was one of the least sampled habitats. This species appears
to be collected more frequently and in higher CPUE in small dendritic creeks off of main channels than suggested by our previous
work in main channel edge habitat. This suggests that small creeks are important vectors for marsh access and supports the
value of the dendritic nature of salt marshes to marsh residents. 相似文献
7.
Delaware Bay is one of the largest estuaries on the U.S. eastern seaboard and is flanked by some of the most extensive salt marshes found in the northeastern U.S. While physicochemical and biotic gradients are known to occur along the long axis of the bay, no studies to date have investigated how the fish assemblage found in salt marsh creeks vary along this axis. The marshes of the lower portion of the bay, with higher salinity, are dominated bySpartina spp., while the marshes of the upper portion, with lower salinity, are currently composed primarily of common reed,Phragmites australis, S. alterniflora, or combinations of both. Extensive daytime sampling (n=815 tows) during May–November 1996 was conducted with otter trawls (4.9 m, 6 mm mesh) in six intertidal and subtidal marsh creek systems (upper and lower portions of each creek) where creek channel depths ranged from 1.4–2.8 m at high tide. The fish taxa of the marsh creeks was composed of 40 species that were dominated by demersal and pelagic forms including sciaenids (5 species), percichthyids (2), and clupeids (7), many of which are transients that spawn outside the bay but the early life history stages are abundant within the bay. The most abundant species wereMorone americana (24.3% of the total catch),Cynoscion regalis (15.4%),Micropogonias undulatus (15.3%),Anchoa mitchilli (12.0%), andTrinectes maculatus (10.8%). Non-metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling ordination of catch per unit effort (CPUE) data indicated two fish assemblages that were largely independent of the two major vegetation types, but generally corresponded with spatial variation in salinity. This relationship was more complex because some of the species for which we could discriminate different age classes by size had different patterns of distribution along the salinity gradient. 相似文献
8.
Forty-eight core and grab samples were taken from two impoundments and an adjacent tidal creek and salt marsh during each of six sampling periods (January, June and November 1983; and January, April and July 1984). Habitats sampled within the impoundments included the perimeter ditch and shallow vegeted areas dominated byRuppia maritima, Spartina alterniflora, andScirpus robustus. The adjacent tidal creek bottom and low marsh ofS. alterniflora were sampled for comparison with the impoundment sites. Major differences in faunal composition and density of macrobenthic invertebrates were observed between habitats in this study. Macrobenthic density was highest (475 individuals 0.05 m?2) at the impoundment site dominated byScripus robustus, where oligochaetes were abundant. The open marsh site had a density of 254 individuals 0.05 m?2. Among unvegetated sites, density for all sampling periods was higher in Chainey Creek than in the perimeter ditches of the impoundments. The total number of taxa was highest for the open marsh and tidal creek sites. The impoundments contained vegetated sites which were inhabited by fewer species than nonimpounded sites, while the perimeter ditch sites were comparatively depauperate. Cluster and nodal analyses identified four broad assemblages based on habitat: 1) an open marsh assemblage, 2) a creek assemblage, 3) a eurytopic assemblage, and 4) an impoundment assemblage. The separation of faunal assemblages by sampling site rather than sampling period suggests that physical differences between habitats were important factors determining distribution patterns. 相似文献
9.
Quarterly field sampling was conducted to characterize variations in water column and sediment nutrients in a eutrophic southern
California estuary with a history of frequent macroalgal blooms. Water column and sediment nutrient measures demonstrated
that Upper Newport Bay (UNB) is a highly enriched estuary. High nitrate (NO3
−) loads from the river entered the estuary at all sampling times with a rainy season (winter) maximum estimated at 2,419 mol
h−1. This resulted in water NO3
− concentration in the estuary near the river mouth at least one order of magnitude above all other sampling locations during
every seasons; maximum mean water NO3
− concentration was 800 μM during springer 1997. Phosphorus (P)-loading was high year round (5.7–90.4 mol h−1) with no seasonal pattern. Sediment nitrogen (N)-content showed a seasonal pattern with a spring maximum declining through
fall. sediment and water nutrients, as well as percent cover of three dominant macroalgae, varied between the main channel
and tidal creeks. During all seasons, water column NO3
− concentrations were higher in the main channel than in tidal creeks while tidal creeks had higher levels of sediment total
Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) and P. During each of the four sampling periods, percent cover ofEntermorpha intestinalis andCeramium spp. was higher in tidal creeks than in the main channel, while percent cover ofUlva expansa was always higher in the main channel. Decreases in sediment N in both creek and channel habitats were concurrent with increases
in macroalgal cover, possibly reflecting use of stored sediment TKN by macroalgae. Our data suggest a shift in primary nutrient
sources for macroalgae in UNB from riverine input during winter and spring to recycling from sediments duirng summer and fall. 相似文献
10.
Gabriella Jackson Richard Zingmark Alan J. Lewitus Raphael G. Tymowski Joyce Stuckey 《Estuaries and Coasts》2006,29(6):1212-1221
Epiphytic microbial biomass (as chlorophylla) was measured monthly in North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina, for 16 months on spatially distinct stem sections (bottom and
middle) of dead and livingSpartina alterniflora growth forms (tall, medium, and short) exposed at low tide. The highest biomass was located on the bottom section of tall
plants, presumably due to their relatively longer contact with creek water and associated phytoplankton, and their closer
proximity to marsh sediments with associated benthic microalgae, both recruitment sources for epiphytes. Dead plants left
standing from the previous year’s growth cycle had higher epiphytic biomass than living plants, which occurred mostly in late
spring through fall. Epiphytic biomass was highest in the winter (mean of 1.77 mg chla (m2 marsh)−1) and lowest in the summer (mean of 0.34 mg chla (m2 marsh)−1). Because phytoplankton andSpartina production are lowest in the winter, the results emphasize the relative importance of epiphytes to growth of herbivores in
this season. 相似文献
11.
Salt marsh intertidal creeks are important habitats for dozens of species of nekton, but few studies have attempted to quantify
patterns of tidal movement. We used the sweep flume, a new sampling device, to investigate relationships between depth and
movements of nekton inside the mouths of intertidal creeks. Sweep flumes located in three creek beds were used to collect
nekton at 10 cm increments (10–100 cm of water depth) during flood and ebb tides in the North Inlet, South Carolina, salt
marsh. Of the 37 taxa collected, 13 comprised>99.5% of the total catch and were the focus of the analysis. A nonlinear mixed
modeling procedure was used to determine, the depth at which each major taxon reached peak abundance during flood tides. With
high degrees of spatial and temporal consistency, resident taxa entered early on the rpsing tide and transient taxa entered
during mid to late tide. Depths of peak migrations varied among taxa and were consistent between creeks, days (within months),
and years. As summer progressed, depths of peak migration increased for young-of-the-yearLeiostomus xanthurus, Lagodon rhomboides, Mugil curema, Eucinostomus argenteus, andLitopenaeus setiferus as their median sizes increased. Within tides, depths of migration increased as a function of size forL. xanthurus andM. curema. Comparisons between flood and ebb tides indicated that most taxa exited the creeks at approximately the same depths at which
they entered. Relationships between major taxa pairs suggested that biotic interactions may have contributed to the structure
of the migrations observed in this study. Our results are the first to demonstrate quantitatively that the migrations of nektonic
taxa into intertidal creeks are structured and related to depth. 相似文献
12.
Hun-Bok Jung Seong-Taek Yun Bernhard Mayer Soon-Oh Kim Seong-Sook Park Pyeong-Koo Lee 《Environmental Geology》2005,48(4-5):437-449
Transport and sediment–water partitioning of trace metals (Cr, Co, Fe, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd) in acid mine drainage were studied
in two creeks in the Kwangyang Au–Ag mine area, southern part of Korea. Chemical analysis of stream waters and the weak acid
(0.1 N HCl) extraction, strong acid (HF–HNO3–HClO4) extraction, and sequential extraction of stream sediments were performed. Heavy metal pollution of sediments was higher
in Chonam-ri creek than in Sagok-ri creek, because there is a larger source of base metal sulfides in the ores and waste dump
upstream of Chonam-ri creek. The sediment–water distribution coefficients (K
d) for metals in both creeks were dependent on the water pH and decreased in the order Pb ≈ Al > Cu > Mn > Zn > Co > Ni ≈ Cd.
K
d values for Al, Cu and Zn were very sensitive to changes in pH. The results of sequential extraction indicated that among
non-residual fractions, Fe–Mn oxides are most important for retaining trace metals in the sediments. Therefore, the precipitation
of Fe(–Mn) oxides due to pH increase in downstream sites plays an important role in regulating the concentrations of dissolved
trace metals in both creeks. For Al, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn, the metal concentrations determined by 0.1 N HCl extraction (Korean
Standard Method for Soil Pollution) were almost identical to the cumulative concentrations determined for the first three
weakly-bound fractions (exchangeable + bound to carbonates + bound to Fe–Mn oxides) in the sequential extraction procedure.
This suggests that 0.1 N HCl extraction can be effectively used to assess the environmentally available and/or bioavailable
forms of trace metals in natural stream sediments. 相似文献
13.
Destruction of tidal wetlands has led to a growing interest in the restoration and creation of new wetland habitat. However, while natural stands of vegetation have been successfully duplicated, less is understood about the establishment of faunal communities in created or restored tidal marshes. Infauna, which may form an important link between detrital production and commercially important finfish and decapods, have received limited attention in vegetated marsh habitats. We examined the infauna, changes in vegetation composition, and selected physical parameters in created marshes of different ages. Infauna were sampled using standard core sampling techniques. Vegetation composition and changes in relative abundance were observed using plot-point techniques. Vegetation plots indicated ongoing replacement ofSpartina alterniflora bySchoenoplectus robustus, a pattern supported by comparisons of vegetation at one of the sites to that reported in a previous study. Infauna exhibited significant differences between sites of different ages, with the intermediate-age site having intermediate densities for several taxa. These results suggest that both infauna and vegetation in created marshes undergo long-term change (ongoing after 10–20 yr), with both the plant and infaunal communities having qualitatively similar overall species composition to natural marsh areas. 相似文献
14.
We report electrochemical profiles from unvegetated surficial sediments of a Georgia salt marsh. In creek bank sediments, the absence of ΣH2S or FeSaq and the presence of Fe(III)–organic complexes suggest that Mn and Fe reduction dominates over at least the top ca. 5 cm of the sediment column, consistent with other recent results. In unvegetated flats, accumulation of ΣH2S indicates that SO4 2- reduction dominates over the same depth. A summer release of dissolved organic species from the dominant tall form Spartina alterniflora, together with elevated temperatures, appears to result in increased SO4 2- reduction intensity and hence high summer concentrations of ΣH2S in flat sediments. However, increased bioturbation and/or bioirrigation seem to prevent this from happening in bank sediments. Studies of biogeochemical processes in salt marshes need to take such spatial and temporal variations into account if we are to develop a good understanding of these highly productive ecosystems. Furthermore, multidimensional analyses are necessary to obtain adequate quantitative pictures of such heterogeneous sediments. 相似文献
15.
This study examined the effects of watershed development on macrobenthic communities in tidal creeks of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, U.S. Two types of creeks were evaluated: upland creeks which drained watersheds consisting of at least 15% terrestrial land cover, and salt marsh creeks which drained no upland habitat (i.e., only intertidal habitat). Samples of macrobenthic organisms were taken along the longitudinal axis of twenty-three primary (first order) tidal creeks. Water and sediment quality data were also collected including measurements of dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, sediment characteristics, and toxic chemicals in the creek sediments. Hypoxic conditions occurred more than 15% of the time in both reference and developed creeks and were a natural attribute of these systems. The most severe and frequent hypoxia occurred in impacted salt marsh creeks. Salinity fluctuations were the greatest in developed upland creeks and salinity range was identified as a potentially reliable indicator of the degree to which watershed development has altered hydrodynamic processes. The creeks draining urban and industrial watersheds were degraded environments characterized by watersheds with high (>50%) levels of impervious surface, broad fluctuations in salinity, severe hypoxia, and potentially toxic levels of chemicals in the sediment. These creeks had low macrobenthic diversity and abundance and were numerically dominated by the oligochaeteMonopylephorus rubroniveus in mud sediments, and the polychaeteLaeoreis culveri in sand sediments. Suburban watersheds had 15–35% impervious surface and creeks draining them were exposed to frequent hypoxia and broad salinity fluctuations. The levels of chemical contaminants in sediments of suburban and impacted salt marsh creeks were generally not different from the levels in reference creeks. Macrobenthic diversity and abundance were higher for suburban and impacted salt marsh creeks than for urban and industrial creeks. However, suburban and salt marsh impacted creeks were numerically dominated by a few pollution indicative species including the oligochaetesM. rubroniveus andTubificoides brownae and the polychaeteL. culveri. These creeks appear to be exhibiting early signs of degradation (e.g., a simplified food web). Two promising community-level macrobenthic metrics for assessing environmental quality were identified: the proportional abundance of pollution indicative taxa, and the proportional abundance of pollution sensitive taxa. These indicators were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with the salinity range, the level of chemical contaminants in sediments, and amount of impervious surface in the watershed. 相似文献
16.
Much effort has been directed recently at restoring marshes, by the removal of the invasive common reed,Phragmites australis, yet it is not clear how fish and invertebrates have responded either to the invasion ofPhragmites or to marsh restoration. The blue crab,Callinectes sapidus, uses marsh habitats during much of its benthic life. We investigated the response of blue crabs toPhragmites invasion and restoration efforts by comparing crab abundance (catch per unit effort), mean size and size frequency distribution,
sex ratio, and molting of crabs in three physically similar areas differing in marsh vegetation;Spartina-dominated,Phragmites-dominated, and a treated area (Phragmites removed and now dominated bySpartina) in one marsh in the upper portion of Delaware Bay. Field sampling occurred monthly (April to November) from 1999 to 2001
using replicate daytime otter trawls in large marsh creeks. Crabs were categorized by carapace width into recruits (<30 mm),
juveniles (30–115 mm), and adults (>115 mm). Juveniles dominated the system, representing 69.4% of all crabs. Similar monthly
increases in mean size and molting patterns during the growing season (May–August) occurred inSpartina (natural and treated sites) andPhragmites sites suggesting that, subtidal habitats, used for molting, in these areas do not differ. More juveniles in the feeding molt
stage (i.e., intermolt) than in other molt stages and more recruits predominantly in the feeding molt stage than adults were
inSpartina, suggesting differences in the marsh surfaces used as feeding habitats withSpartina being preferred. Sex ratios of each life history stage were skewed towards males, but this was related to the low salinity
of Alloway Creek, rather than marsh surface vegetation. Our results suggest that marsh surface vegetation influences the way
blue crabs use marsh surface habitats, thus restoration efforts focusing on changing vegetation type may have a positive influence
on blue crabs. 相似文献
17.
Salt marsh habitats influenced by southern California's mixed, semi-diurnal tides are, on average, accessible to fishes less than 16% of the time. However, five species (four natives, one oxotic) and a variety of juvenile and adult size classes were collected on the marsh surface during a year-long sampling from June 1997 through June 1998 at Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge on San Diego Bay.Fundulus parvipinis andGillichthys mirabilis were the most abundant fish species using the marsh. Analyses of their guts revealed that the marsh surface provides a rich foraging area for fishes on high spring tides.F. parvipinnis with marsh access consumed six times as much food as fishes restricted to creek habitats (on a g-food g-fish?1 basis) and also fed on additional prey types. Because the salt marsh is an important foraging area for fishes, we recommend that restoration projects (especially those intended to mitigate lost fish habitat) include vegetated areas with interconnecting tidal creeks. 相似文献
18.
Kenneth W. Able Deborah N. Vivian Gina Petruzzelli Stacy M. Hagan 《Estuaries and Coasts》2012,35(3):743-753
We examined connectivity among marsh subhabitats to determine the structural limits and important components of a polyhaline
salt marsh by studying the patterns of abundance, residency, and movement of a numerically and ecologically dominant nektonic
fish (mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus). We captured, tagged (n = 14,040 individuals, 30–110 mm), and recaptured from Feb 2001 to Jul 2002, although most recaptures (75–95% by tagging location)
occurred within 150 days. Seasonal residency and movements were common among most subhabitats based on catch per unit effort
and recapture per unit effort. Thus, these (marsh pools, intertidal and subtidal creeks, and marsh surface) should be considered
natural subhabitats within New England type salt marshes. Further, all these subhabitat types should be included in studies
of salt marsh nekton and marsh restoration and creation activities. 相似文献
19.
To assess the potential for habitat isolation effects on estuarine nekton, we used two species with different dispersal abilities
and life history strategies, mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) and pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) to examine: (1) distribution trends among estuarine shallow-water flat and various intertidal salt marsh habitats and (2)
the influence of salt marsh habitat size and isolation. Collections were conducted using baited minnow traps set within nonisolated
interior marshes (interior), nonisolated fringing marshes (nonisolated), isolated island marshes (isolated), and shallow-water
flat habitats (flat) that were adjacent to isolated and nonisolated marshes. Size range of individuals collected included
juvenile and adult F. heteroclitus (20–82-mm standard length) and L. rhomboides (22–151-mm standard length). During high tide, F. heteroclitus exclusively used marsh habitats, particularly high marsh, whereas L. rhomboides used marshes and flats. F. heteroclitus abundance followed an interior > nonisolated > isolated pattern. L. rhomboides abundance patterns were less consistent but followed a nonisolated > isolated > interior pattern. A size-dependent water
depth relationship was observed for both species and suggests size class partitioning of marsh and flat habitats during high
tide. Minimum water depth (~31 cm) restricted L. rhomboides populations in marshes, while maximum water depth (~69 cm) restricted F. heteroclitus population use of marshes and movement between marsh habitats. Disparities in F. heteroclitus young of year contribution between isolated compared to nonisolated and interior marsh types suggests isolated marshes acted
as population sinks and were dependent on adult emigrants. Resident and transient salt marsh nekton species utilize estuarine
habitats in different ways and these fundamental differences can translate into how estuarine landscape might affect nekton. 相似文献
20.
Marshes are important habitats for various life history stages of many fish and invertebrates. Much effort has been directed at restoring marshes, yet it is not clear how fish and invertebrates have responded to marsh restoration. The blue crab,Callinectes sapidus, uses marsh habitats during much of its benthic life. We investigated the response of blue crabs to marsh restoration by comparing crab abundance (catch per unit effort), mean size and size frequency distribution, sex ratio, and molt stages of crabs in recently restored marshes that were former salt hay farms to that of adjacent reference marshes with similar physical characteristics in the mesohaline portion of Delaware Bay. Field sampling occurred monthly (April–November) in 1997 and 1998 using replicate daytime otter trawls in large marsh creeks and weirs in smaller intertidal marsh creeks. Blue crabs were either equal or more abundant, the incidence of molting was in most months similar, and population sex ratios were indistinguishable in restored and reference marshes, suggesting that the restored areas attract crabs and support their growth. Site location had a greater effect on the sex ratio of crabs such that marshes closer to the mouth of the bay contained a higher percentage of adult female crabs. In each annual growing season (April–July), the monthly increase in crab size and, in some months (June–July), the incidence of molting at the restored sites was greater than the reference sites, suggesting that the restored sites may provide areas for enhanced growth of crabs. These results suggest that blue crabs have responded positively to restoration of former salt hay farms in the mesohaline portion of Delaware Bay. 相似文献