Current status and ecological roles of Zostera marina after recovery from large-scale reclamation in the Nakdong River estuary,Korea     

Sang Rul Park  Jong-Hyeob Kim  Chang-Keun Kang  Soonmo An  Ik Kyo Chung  Jeong Ha Kim  Kun-Seop Lee 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2009

Large Zostera marina meadows (covering 13.6 km²) existed in the Nakdong River estuary on the south coast of Korea until the mid-1980s, but these Z. marina beds nearly disappeared due to reclamation of adjacent mud flats for the construction of a port and industrial complex during the late 1980s. Partial recovery of Z. marina meadows occurred recently, and Z. marina coverage of about 0.3 km² was observed in this estuary. In this study, shoot morphology, density, biomass, productivity, and tissue nutrient content were measured to evaluate the current status of the Z. marina meadows by comparing these data to those for persistent seagrass meadows in similar geographical areas. Additionally, we examined the ecological roles of Z. marina in this estuary after recovery from the large-scale disturbance. Shoot density (151 shoots m⁻²) and total biomass (141 g DW m⁻²) in the estuary were similar to those reported from other Z. marina meadows in Korea. Annual leaf production (1726 g DW m⁻² y⁻¹) was higher than generally observed for Z. marina in other geographical areas. These results imply that the existing Z. marina meadows in this estuary have adjusted to local environmental conditions that changed after large-scale reclamation. Estimated annual whole plant carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) incorporations based on shoot production and tissue C and N content were 810.0 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ and 59.7 g N m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively. These values were equivalent to 2.4 × 10⁵ kg C y⁻¹ and 1.8 × 10⁴ kg N y⁻¹ for all Z. marina beds in the Nakdong River estuary. This high C and N incorporation into Z. marina tissues suggests that existing Z. marina meadows play important roles in C and N cycles in this estuary. Although the currently existing Z. marina beds in this estuary are persisting and play an important ecological role, anthropogenic factors that cause seagrass declines still affect the estuary. Thus, effective management and monitoring of Z. marina beds and environmental factors are critical to protecting and conserving this invaluable component of the Nakdong River estuary.  相似文献   

Factors influencing landscape pattern of the seagrass Halophila decipiens in an oceanic setting     

Mark S. Fonseca  W. Judson Kenworthy  Emily Griffith  Margaret O. Hall  Mark Finkbeiner  Susan S. Bell 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2008

The scale of landscape pattern formation of an ecological community may provide clues as to the processes influencing its spatial and temporal dynamics. We conducted an examination of the spatial organization of an annual seagrass (Halophila decipiens) in an open ocean setting at two spatial scales and growing seasons to identify the relative influence of external (hurricanes) versus internal (clonal growth) factors. Visual surveys of seagrass cover were conducted over 2 years within three replicate 1 km² study areas each separated by ∼25 km in an inshore–offshore transect along the southwest coast of Florida at depths between ∼10 and 30 m. A towed video sled allowed observations of seagrass cover of 1 m² areas approximately every 6 m over thousands of meters of evenly spaced transects within the study areas (coarse scale). The towed video revealed that 17.5% of the seafloor was disturbed irrespective of location or sample time. Randomly selected 10 × 10 m quadrats within the larger, 1 km² study areas were completely surveyed for seagrass cover by divers at 0.625 m² resolution (fine scale). The coarse-scale observations were tested using both conventional geostatistics and an application of a time-series technique (Runs test) for scale of seagrass cover contiguity. Fine-scale observations were examined using conventional geostatistics and a least squares approach (cumulative logistic).  相似文献   

Oceanographic controls on shallow‐water temperate carbonate sedimentation: Spencer Gulf,South Australia          下载免费PDF全文

Laura G. O'Connell  Noel P. James  Mark Doubell  John F. Middleton  John Luick  David R. Currie  Yvonne Bone 《Sedimentology》2016,63(1):105-135

Spencer Gulf is a large (ca 22 000 km²), shallow (<60 m water depth) embayment with active heterozoan carbonate sedimentation. Gulf waters are metahaline (salinities 39 to 47‰) and warm‐temperate (ca 12 to ?28°C) with inverse estuarine circulation. The integrated approach of facies analysis paired with high‐resolution, monthly oceanographic data sets is used to pinpoint controls on sedimentation patterns with more confidence than heretofore possible for temperate systems. Biofragments – mainly bivalves, benthic foraminifera, bryozoans, coralline algae and echinoids – accumulate in five benthic environments: luxuriant seagrass meadows, patchy seagrass sand flats, rhodolith pavements, open gravel/sand plains and muddy seafloors. The biotic diversity of Spencer Gulf is remarkably high, considering the elevated seawater salinities. Echinoids and coralline algae (traditionally considered stenohaline organisms) are ubiquitous. Euphotic zone depth is interpreted as the primary control on environmental distribution, whereas seawater salinity, temperature, hydrodynamics and nutrient availability are viewed as secondary controls. Luxuriant seagrass meadows with carbonate muddy sands dominate brightly lit seafloors where waters have relatively low nutrient concentrations (ca 0 to 1 mg Chl‐a m^?3). Low‐diversity bivalve‐dominated deposits occur in meadows with highest seawater salinities and temperatures (43 to 47‰, up to 28°C). Patchy seagrass sand flats cover less‐illuminated seafloors. Open gravel/sand plains contain coarse bivalve–bryozoan sediments, interpreted as subphotic deposits, in waters with near normal marine salinities and moderate trophic resources (0·5 to 1·6 mg Chl‐a m^?3) to support diverse suspension feeders. Rhodolith pavements (coralline algal gravels) form where seagrass growth is arrested, either because of decreased water clarity due to elevated nutrients and associated phytoplankton growth (0·6 to 2 mg Chl‐a m^?3), or bottom waters that are too energetic for seagrasses (currents up to 2 m sec^?1). Muddy seafloors occur in low‐energy areas below the euphotic zone. The relationships between oceanographic influences and depositional patterns outlined in Spencer Gulf are valuable for environmental interpretations of other recent and ancient (particularly Neogene) high‐salinity and temperate carbonate systems worldwide.  相似文献   

海南岛南部海草资源分布现状调查分析   总被引：3，自引：1，他引：2  

陈石泉  吴钟解  陈晓慧  李元超  蔡泽富  张光星  姚海君  黄洁英 《海洋学报》2015,37(6):106-113

结合2008年和2014年的调查数据,对海南岛南部海草分布现状进行分析探讨。结果显示,海南岛南部海草种类有2科3亚科5属5种,即海神草Cymodocea rotunda、泰莱藻Thalassia hemprichii、海菖蒲Enhalus acoroides、喜盐草Halophila ovalis以及二药藻Enhalus acoroides,泰莱藻广泛分布;海草分布面积从2008年的1.64km2减少到2014年0.50km2,减少幅度较大区域为铁炉港和小东海;平均盖度从2008年35.67%下降到2014年26.40%;受人为活动及无人管理因素影响程度不同,海南岛南部不同海域海草平均密度及平均生物量各有不同,后海湾与鹿回头海草平均密度和平均生物量呈增长趋势,铁炉港、西瑁洲岛及小东海海草平均密度和平均生物量呈下降趋势。鉴于海南岛南部海草资源已出现退化,希望社会各界重视海草的保护,在海草资源丰富区域设海草保护区,在海草破坏严重区域加大政府科研扶持力度,对海草进行保护与修复。  相似文献   

Limited nutritional benefit to the seagrass Halophila ovalis, in culture, following sediment organic matter enrichment     

K.L. Kilminster  D.I. Walker  P.A. Thompson  J.A. Raven 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2006,68(3-4):675

Essential nutrients for seagrass growth may be derived from benthic decomposition of organic matter. To test this idea, cores of Halophila ovalis (seagrass-vegetated) and unvegetated sediment (control) were amended with either particulate organic matter (POM) or dissolved organic matter (DOM) to test whether a positive feed-back loop exists, where increased organic matter results in increased seagrass nutrients. POM was added in the form of seagrass wrack (0, 1, 5, 12 g core⁻¹) and DOM was added with sucrose diffusion tubes at the root zone (0, 0.8, 2.4, 5.2 g core⁻¹). Cores were incubated under saturating light conditions (12 h light/12 h dark) at 18 °C, for 4 weeks. Results suggest a complex balance between positive and negative effects of organic matter enrichment. Whilst leaf molar concentrations of N and P of H. ovalis increased (by 15 and 30% respectively), plant growth declined (up to 50% relative to control) for both DOM and POM enrichments. Phosphate was removed from sediment porewater following POM addition and most likely translocated to the leaves. Stressors other than nutrient limitation (e.g. biogeochemical constraints) reduce growth and affect the nutrient dynamics of the seagrass and should be the focus of future work.  相似文献   

Nutrient, sulfur and carbon dynamics in a hypersaline lagoon     

James B. Cotner  Michael W. Suplee  Nai Wei Chen  David E. Shormann 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2004,59(4):639-652

We measured benthic and water column fluxes in a hypersaline coastal system (Baffin Bay, Texas) in 1996–1997, a period of decreasing salinity (increased freshwater input) and turbidity. Salinity decreased from a mean of 60 to 32 practical salinity units (psu) and turbidity decreased from a mean of 78 to 25 NTU over the study period. Associated with hydrological changes, there were important changes in nutrient fluxes and metabolism. There was a shift of total respiration from the water column to the sediments and an increased amount of the benthic metabolism (2–67%) was attributed to sulfate reduction in this system when salinity was lowest, perhaps a consequence of increased benthic light levels and photosynthetic production of labile carbon in the sediments. The sediments were a large sink for both N and P. Sediment particulate C:N (9.8) and C:P (119) ratios were lower than those in the water column. However, ammonium:phosphate fluxes increased coincident with increased sulfate reduction rates and porewater sulfide concentrations. Efficient N-retention mediated through dissimilative nitrate reduction to ammonium, and high rates of N-fixation in shallow, hypersaline systems may facilitate transitions from N-limitation to P-limitation. During the most hypersaline period, seston exhibited some of the most extreme nutrient ratios ever reported for a marine ecosystem (C:N 10–37 and C:P 200–1200) and suggest that plankton are likely to be P-limited or are very well adapted to low P availability. When salinity and N:P and C:P ratios were highest, the plankton was dominated by a brown tide alga (Aureoumbra lagunensis), supporting evidence that this organism is adapted to low P, long residence time systems.  相似文献   

Seasonal and Between-Substrate Variation in Mobile Epifaunal Community in a Multispecific Seagrass Bed of Otsuchi Bay, Japan   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

Masahiro Nakaoka  Tetsuhiko Toyohara  & Masatoshi Matsumasa 《Marine Ecology》2001,22(4):379-395

Abstract. A seagrass bed in Otsuchi Bay, northeastern Japan, consists of three seagrass species ( Zostera marina, Z. caulescens and Z. caespitosa ) that differ in morphology and phenology. We studied the mobile epifaunal community in the seagrass bed to examine (1) whether seasonal and between-substrate variation in the epifaunal community agrees with variation in seagrass abundance and morphological complexity, and (2) whether patterns of seasonal and between-substrate variation vary among epifaunal species. We collected mobile epifauna from each of Z. marina and Z. caulescens on 11 occasions between October 1995 and November 1996 (at 1 – 1.5 month intervals) using a hand-closing net. A total of 9 842 individuals of mobile epiphytic animals were collected and they were classified into 80 taxa. Abundance and species richness of the epifaunal community were high in summer to autumn and low in winter to spring, and diversity index and evenness were higher in Z. marina than Z. caulescens . However, patterns of seasonal and between-substrate variation in these parameters did not parallel those in seagrass abundance and complexity. Most of the dominant epifaunal species showed significant seasonal and between-substrate variation in abundance, although their patterns varied greatly among individual species. A cluster analysis recognized several distinct groups of animals showing similar seasonal and between-substrate variation. Our findings suggest that the observed variation in the epifaunal community is not determined by a single or some strong external factors but by complex interactions of multiple factors operating differently for each component species.  相似文献   

海草的卫星遥感研究进展   总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2  

杨顶田 《热带海洋学报》2007,26(4):82-86

海草、沙滩、砾石以及淤泥等不同底质类型对光谱的反射率不同,通过卫星遥感检测反射率的变化可以鉴别海草等底质类型。由于海草体内含有叶绿素a、叶绿素b以及花青素和叶黄素等色素,通过检测这些色素的光谱可以对海草分布以及生存状态进行卫星遥感检测。主要从多光谱、高光谱等角度对近岸光学浅水中海草的卫星遥感以及国内对海草和水体生物光学研究状况等方面进行阐述,并对未来的研究趋势进行展望。  相似文献   

Distribution patterns of benthic juvenile gobies in and around seagrass habitats: effectiveness of seagrass shelter against predators   总被引：3，自引：0，他引：3  

Masahiro Horinouchi   《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2007,72(4):657-664

The significance of a sheltering effect of seagrass against predators influencing the distribution patterns of benthic juveniles of the streaked goby Acentrogobius sp. was investigated by field experimentation in and around seagrass habitats at Moroiso and Aburatsubo Bays, Miura Peninsula, Japan. In the former bay, juveniles were always restricted to the seagrass bed, whereas at the latter, they also occurred over the surrounding bare sand substrate. Juveniles never occurred inside predator-exclusion cages over unvegetated sand in Moroiso Bay. Additionally, a tethering experiment resulted in similarly small numbers of juveniles being preyed upon in both the seagrass bed and over bare sand, suggesting that the predation risk for juveniles may not differ between the habitat types and was thus not responsible for their distribution patterns. The availability of symbiotic shrimp burrows, which were scarce in bare sand in Moroiso Bay but abundant in a similar area in Aburatsubo Bay, was also hypothesized as a determinant of distribution pattern. In a manipulative experiment at Aburatsubo Bay, however, juveniles showed no response to alterations in the availability of symbiotic shrimp burrows, indicating that neither the sheltering effect of seagrass against predators nor the availability of symbiotic shrimp burrows was a significant factor in streaked goby juvenile distribution. Food availability may be a determinant, because food abundance patterns were concordant with the juvenile distribution pattern.  相似文献   

Relationships between estuarine geomorphology, wetland extent and fish landings in New South Wales estuaries     

Neil Saintilan 《Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science》2004,61(4):168

Multivariate analyses of estuarine geomorphic variables and fish-catch data support the hypothesis that estuaries in New South Wales can be classified in terms of measurable geomorphic characteristics, and that these geomorphic characteristics exert an influence on estuarine biota. The clearest example of this association is the extent to which the area of seagrass, mangrove and central mud basin relates to geomorphic settings and the extent to which the area of these units in turn predict commercial landings of fish and crustaceans. Infilled estuaries with sand barrier entrances, with higher areas of mangrove and lower areas of seagrass and central mud basin yield a catch of fish different to estuaries which are not infilled, and contain relatively high areas of seagrass and central mud basin, and less mangrove. The species contributing most to these differences in assemblages are those which multiple regression analysis identifies to be consistently associated with seagrass area, and which ecological studies reveal to be dependant upon seagrass in their post-settlement phase.  相似文献