Spatial Patterns of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Intertidal Areas of a Southern European Estuary: The Tagus, Portugal

This study characterizes the composition and spatial distribution patterns of the benthic macrofauna in the intertidal mudflats of the Tagus estuary, western Portugal. A total of 68 species, more than 226,000 specimens with a total wet weight biomass of approximately 1170 g were identified in 380 sites. The species Streblospio shrubsolii, Cyathura carinata, Tharyx sp., Hydrobia ulvae and Tubificids were the most common and abundant. Scrobicularia plana strongly dominated the biomass. The invertebrate macrofauna of the Tagus estuary shows similarities to what is known from other temperate mudflats. The diversity of species, their overall abundance and the ratio of Molluscs plus Crustaceans to Polychaete species corroborate the distinctiveness between temperate and tropical mudflats and sandflats. The spatial distribution of the fauna reflects the sediment characteristics but the relationship between the environmental and the biological data is not as strong as obtained for sublittoral areas. This relationship diminishes from the sublittoral shelf to sublittoral estuarine areas, showing minimum values in this study, suggesting that such a relationship is less straightforward as natural disturbance increases. Nevertheless, a mixture of grain-size, elevation (inundation time) and particular habitats (relic oyster beds) form the best explanatory factors for the spatial distribution patterns of the intertidal benthic macrofauna of the Tagus estuary.     

Effects of Small Dams on the Benthic Community of Streams in an Atlantic Forest Area of Southeastern Brazil

We examined the effects of longitudinal discontinuity in small rivers, produced by the construction of small dams, on the macroinvertebrate communities in a biological reserve in southeastern Brazil. Two regulated streams were sampled in the rainy and dry seasons at three sites along the river. One site was upstream of the dam/abstraction and two were below the dam. Our results indicate that there was a difference in the communities between the dry and rainy periods even though water physicochemical parameters of the water were not significantly different. The biotic richness at sites 500 m below the dam were similar to those above the impoundment (control), indicating that the fauna recovered when the discharge values found before water abstraction were reestablished. We concluded that the dam did induce changes in the composition of benthic comunities, especially in the dry period. However, overall, the fauna seemed to be able to persist during periods when the flow was absent. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Benthic Community Structure and Invertebrate Drift in a Pacific Island Stream,Kosrae, Micronesia1

Tropical Pacific island streams have poorly understood communities that deserve scientific attention. We examined benthic macroinvertebrates and fishes of the Inem River on Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia. Larval chironomids, lepidopterans, odonates, and freshwater shrimps dominated the benthos and drift. Diel periodicity in drift was not evident. Nine fishes, two shrimps, and one snail species were identified. Kosrae's stream fauna appears even more depauperate than other Pacific high islands, possible due to its extreme isolation.     

长江口互花米草生长区大型底栖动物的群落特征

2005年对长江口潮滩湿地互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)生长区不同季节大型底栖动物群落特征的研究表明:长江口互花米草生长区的大型底栖动物有21种,其中甲壳纲10种、多毛纲5种、腹足纲5种、辨鳃纲1种.主要种类有拟沼螺(Assiminea sp.)、背蚓虫(Notomastus latericeus)、尖锥拟蟹守螺(Cerithidea largillierli)、中国绿螂(Glauconome chinensis)、钩虾(Gammaridae sp.)等.食性功能群均以碎屑食者和植食者为主.大型底栖动物平均栖息密度为(650.5±719.2)个/m2,标准误主要是由于北湖的拟沼螺密度很大.栖息密度从大到小的顺序为沿河口梯度从内到外分布的北湖边滩、崇明东滩、金山卫边滩.大型底栖动物群落分布不均匀,沿河口梯度变化存在明显的空间差异.栖息密度和物种多样性在夏季最高,冬季最低.大型底栖动物平均生物量为(20.8±6.1)g/m2,季相变化为夏季＞秋季＞春季＞冬季.BIO-ENV分析表明沉积物粒径和盐沼高度是大型底栖动物群落特征的主要影响因素.不同研究结果的差异除了时空因素外可能与互花米草的种群动态有关.加强不同时间尺度的研究有助于正确评价互花米草对大型底栖动物的影响.     

The effects of macroinvertebrate taxonomic resolution in large landscape bioassessments: an example from the Mid-Atlantic Highlands, U.S.A.

1. During late spring 1993–1995, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) sampled 490 wadeable streams in the mid‐Atlantic Highlands (MAH) of the U.S. for a variety of physical, chemical and biological indicators of environmental condition. We used the resulting data set to evaluate the importance of differing levels of macroinvertebrate taxonomic resolution in bioassessments by comparing the ability of family versus genus to detect differences among sites classified by type and magnitude of human impact and by stream size. We divided the MAH into two physiographic regions: the Appalachian Plateau where mine drainage (MD) and acidic deposition are major stressors, and the Ridge and Valley where nutrient enrichment is a major stressor. Stream sites were classified into three or four impact classes based on water chemistry and habitat. We used stream order (first to third Strahler order) in each region as a measure of stream size. Ordination, 2 × 2 chi‐square and biotic metrics were used to compare the ability of family and genus to detect differences among both stressor and size classes. 2. With one notable exception, there were only a small number of different genera per family (interquartile range = 1–4). Family Chironomidae, however, contained 123 different genera. As a result, significant information loss occurred when this group was only classified to family. The family Chironomidae did not discriminate among the predefined classes but many chironomid genera did: by chi‐square analysis, 10 and 28 chironomid genera were significant in discriminating MD and nutrient impacts, respectively. 3. Family and genus data were similar in their ability to distinguish among the coarse impacts (e.g. most severe versus least severe impact classes) for all cases. Though genus data in many cases distinguished the subtler differences (e.g. mixed/moderate impacts versus high or low impacts) better than family, differences in significance levels between family and genus analyses were relatively minor. However, genus data detected differences among stream orders in ordination analyses that were not revealed at the family level. In the ordinations, both family and genus levels of analysis responded to similar suites of environmental variables. 4. Our results suggest that identification to the family level is sufficient for many bioassessment purposes. However, identifications to genus do provide more information in genera‐rich families like Chironomidae. Genus or finer levels of identification are important for investigating natural history, stream ecology, biodiversity and indicator species. Decisions about the taxonomic level of identification need to be study specific and depend on available resources (cost) and study objectives.     

Benthic, Drifting and Marginal Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in a Lowland River: Temporal and Spatial Variations and Size Structure

Aquatic macroinvertebrates living in anastomosing lowland rivers use different habitats and respond differently to the hydrological regime. In this paper, the structure and composition of benthic, drifting and marginal macroinvertebrate assemblages are analyzed in the lowland river Ctalamochita (Córdoba, Argentina). The assemblages were studied in an annual cycle; a comparison among the composition of benthos, drift and marginal fauna was carried out; and size structure of the assemblages was characterized. Samples were obtained from two sites: a rural and an urban site. In total 73 taxa of aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected. Benthos was characterized by Chironomidae and Oligochaeta; marginal fauna was mainly constituted by Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Decapoda, the Trichoptera Nectopsyche sp., Ephemeroptera and Odonata. Drifting assemblage was composed by macroinvertebrates from local and remote upstream benthos, and from the marginal zone. Marginal fauna diversity was higher than benthos and drift. Total biomass of the assemblages pooled together was relatively equitably among size classes. Larger size classes consisted of organisms from the marginal zone whereas the smallest ones were composed by benthic and drifting organisms. In the study area there is habitat partitioning in the lateral dimension of the river. Marginal fauna was more diverse due to the asymmetry of transport and deposit processes, which generate a heterogeneous habitat in the bankside. The relation between fine substrate and high current velocity determines an unstable habitat in the central channel, which makes colonization by benthic macroinvertebrates difficult.     

Dams and Flow in the Cotter River, Australia: Effects on Instream Trophic Structure and Benthic Metabolism

This study assessed benthic macroinvertebrates and periphyton and its responses to managed river-flows, in riffles downstream of three dams on the Cotter River, Australian Capital Territory. Benthic macroinvertebrates and periphyton were also assessed in adjacent tributaries of the river, as well as in a nearby unregulated river and its tributaries. Food sources of four macroinvertebrate taxa (Leptophlebiidae, Elmidae, Glossosomatidae and Orthocladiinae) were determined by stable isotope analysis of the invertebrates and their potential food, in conjunction with examination of the gut contents of individual invertebrates. Components of benthic periphyton were the main food source for the selected taxa. Orthocladiinae consumed primarily amorphous detritus, while Elmidae, Glossosomatidae and Leptophlebiidae consumed diatoms. Enclosed benthic chambers were used to measure the response of benthic metabolism to monthly flow spikes released from one of the dams. The balance of benthic metabolism as measured by the Production/Respiration ratio (P/R) showed a shift towards production after the release of flow spikes. At sites downstream of the dams, there was more periphyton chlorophyll-a in the form of filamentous green algae than at sites in the unregulated river and the tributaries, and macroinvertebrate taxa using periphyton as a food resource were missing or reduced in abundance relative to sites without dams. However, the site downstream of the dam with environmental flow releases had more macroinvertebrate taxa and less periphyton cholorophyll-a content than sites downstream of dams without managed environmental flows, suggesting that a more suitable food supply resulting from environmental flow releases shifted macroinvertebrate communities towards those of unregulated streams.     

晋西黄土区土壤水分动态变化与植被群落关系研究

土壤水分是晋西黄土区植被群落生长与恢复的主要限制因素,为定量探讨该区域不同植被群落土壤水分变化规律,选择山西吉县蔡家川流域3种典型植被群落（油松人工林、刺槐人工林、天然次生林）为研究对象,研究土壤水分时空变化特征,以及土壤水分与降雨、气温和土壤养分的变化关系。结果表明：（1）近10年,研究区降雨分布极不均匀,表现为降雨前期不足,集中在中后期;近10年植被群落生长季,天然次生林土壤水分最大,刺槐林最小,且两者存在显著差异,但均与油松林地差异不显著;（2）研究区3种植被群落0~60 cm土层中根系分布存在差异。其中,同种植被群落不同土层间根系分布均存在显著差异;不同植被群落中,天然次生林与油松、刺槐林的根系分布在20~60 cm土层存在显著差异;（3）研究区植被群落土壤水分具有明显分层现象,即0~40 cm土层土壤水分变化较大,而40~100 cm土层波动较小,基本维持在10%~15%;表土层（0~40 cm）土壤水分变化与植被根系分布有关,且植被根系分布与土壤水分呈显著负相关;（4）通过对土壤水分与降雨、气温、有机碳、全氮、全磷、全钾等因素进行分析,发现土壤水分与降雨呈显著正相关,油松林地相关系数最高;气温只与次生林的土壤水分呈显著正相关;土壤水分与有机碳、全氮、全磷、全钾存在正相关,其中与全磷相关度最高。     

Invasion of a Reef-builder Polychaete: Direct and Indirect Impacts on the Native Benthic Community Structure

In this work, we evaluate the effect of the introduced reef-building polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus on the benthic community and on sediment characteristics of a southwestern Atlantic coastal lagoon. When reefs were experimentally added, density of the native crab Cyrtograpsus angulatus dramatically increased in a short time period. After reefs and crabs were experimentally transplanted as a unit, they decreased the density of the free-living soft-bottom polychaetes Heteromastus similis and Laeonereis acuta. Exclusion/inclusion caging experiments showed that Cyrtograpsus negatively affect the density of soft-bottom polychaetes (H. similis, L. acuta, Nephtys fluviatilis) and ostracodes. Our results showed that this effect is much higher in areas populated by reefs because of the increased density of crabs that find shelter under the reefs. Thus, reefs have a cascading effect on the native benthic community within the areas colonized by them. Analysis of crab stomach contents indicated that crabs feed on a wide variety of prey, including infaunal organisms, small gastropods and also algae. When reefs and crabs were experimentally added, the amount of bivalve shells on superficial sediments increased. Our results suggest that this bivalve shell accumulation and sediment composition are due to the reworking activity of Cyrtograpsus in the sediment where they dig burrows. The invasive habits of Ficopomatus may be favoring crabs to have a major effect on the integrity of the native community in the lagoon. Ficopomatus should be considered a bioengineer organism by creating and regulating refuge for other species, altering the interactions between preexistent species and also by changing the physical factors of the invaded environment.     

Numerical modelling of suspended sediment transport in tidal estuaries: A comparison between the Tagus (Portugal) and the Scheldt (Belgium-the Netherlands)

A numerical model to simulate the transport of suspended sediment in tidal estuaries is presented. The model is applied to the two large European estuaries the Tagus (Portugal) and the Scheldt (Belgium-The Netherlands). Calculated suspended sediment concentrations compare favourably with observations in the Tagus (r=0.84) and in the Scheldt (r=0.73). The parametrization scheme indicates that the bottom content of fine sediment is correlated with depth in the Tagus; but a different relationship is used in the Scheldt. Because of tidal range differences, average suspended sediment concentrations are lower in the Tagus (80 mg l⁻¹) than in the Scheldt (130 mg l⁻¹), but a larger relative variation between spring and neap tide concentrations may occur in the Tagus.     

Factors Affecting the Benthic Community Structure of a Discontinuous Stream in Guadelupe Mountains National Park,Texas

McKittrick Creek, a discontinuous mountain-desert stream in Guadelupe Mountains National Park, Texas, was sampled at discrete locations (pools) to test for differences in biomass, density, species diversity, equitability, and species richness in the benthic macroinvertebrate community. Significant differences occurred among pools for these biotic characteristics of the benthic community along the downstream gradient. Pools connected by flow were more similar to each other than pools separated by dry reaches. Variation in the quantity of coarse detritus and periphyton best explained differences among pools.     

Species Composition and Inter-annual Dynamics of a Freshwater Tidal Plant Community Following Removal of the Invasive Grass, Phragmites australis

We document the regeneration of native freshwater wetland plant assemblages following removal of the common reed, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel from two sites at Chapman Pond, East Haddam, Connecticut, USA. We gathered field data on composition of the vegetation 1 year before and for each of the 3 years after the removal in fall 1995/spring 1996 of Phragmites by two slightly different methods (hand-removal and herbiciding in one area, mowing/mulching and herbiciding in another). An area where Phragmites was left intact was similarly monitored. Our goals for this monitoring were: (1) to document plant species composition and richness before and after Phragmites removal and (2) to examine temporal and spatial variability in patterns of plant recruitment. Phragmites declined in both density and extent in both plots where removal treatments were applied. Richness, evenness, and density of non-Phragmites species increased steadily from 1996 to 1997 in all removal and intact plots. However, the species composition of the removal plots was richer than that of the intact plot, and more closely resembled that of comparable, uninvaded freshwater tidal wetlands. Rates of recovery of species richness in the removal plots declined from 1997 to 1998, potentially reflecting saturation of available colonization space, or the return of Phragmites. Phragmites has expanded its range in both of the removal plots since 1997. A model of its colonization indicates that Phragmites occupies space through localized proliferation of dense rhizomes rather than diffusely foraging with long tillers. Vigilance in monitoring is needed to document the spread of invasives, to evaluate the multi-faceted ecological effects of eradication efforts on both the invader and the regenerating community, and develop strategies for preventing re-invasion.     

川西平原农田啮齿动物群落动态：趋势和周期性

本用时间序列分析方法,对川西平原农田由8种啮齿动物组成的生物量、物种多样性的Shannon指数和Simpson指数中3个主要群落变量的趋势和周期性进行了分析和比较!结果表明：(1)3个变量都有增加的趋势．生物量是二次抛物线,Shannon指数是指数函数,Simpson指数是正弦函数。(2)3个变量中生物量显示出了周期性,这个变量的周期都约为1年。1年的周期与四川亚热带农业生态系统初级生产力的动态相一致：Shannon指数和Simpson指数末显示出周期性—川西平原啮齿动物群落3个变量的增加趋势,可能是农业生态系统中啮齿动物与人类长期共存所形成的适应特征,它们能随农业产量增加这样的环境变化使各个群落变量呈现出增加的趋势;也可能不过是处于群落自然波动中的上升阶段、因此需要长时间的研究工作,才能判断该增加趋势的生态学本质。     

The Decapod Custacean Community of the Guadalquivir Estuary (SW Spain): Seasonal and Inter-Year Changes in Community Structure

Monthly samples were taken from May 1997 to March 2002 at three sampling sites within the last 32 km of the Guadalquivir Estuary. Twenty-four decapod crustacean species were recorded of which Crangon crangon (Linnaeus), Melicertus kerathurus (Forskal), and Palaemon spp. represented 99% of all collected individuals. These three dominant species showed a similar seasonal density pattern even though peaks in M. kerathurus were lower. Their densities were positively correlated (p < 0.01) with water temperature and salinity, but negatively with turbidity. The highest correlation corresponded to temperature in Palaemon spp. and to salinity in C. crangon and M. kerathurus. Therefore, the total estuarine decapod density also showed a regular seasonal pattern having the lowest figures in late autumn and winter and the highest in spring and summer. In addition, it was positively correlated with water temperature and salinity, but negatively with turbidity. Density decreased upstream, mainly due to the higher density of C. crangon and M. kerathurus in more saline waters. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling ordination of samples also indicated a regular seasonal change in the community, even though inter-year differences between dry and rainy winters were especially great. The first ordination axis was significantly correlated with environmental variables, while the second axis seemed to split samples up following seasonal community changes in species’ composition and dominance.     

Trophic Structure of One Deep-sea Benthic Fish Community in the Eastern Canadian Arctic: Application of Food, Parasites and Multivariate Analysis

Synopsis As new arctic marine fisheries develop there is need for a comprehensive ecosystem approach to long-term management. This approach recognizes the importance of community interactions such as food web structure and trophic patterns. We determined whether hierarchical clustering (guild formation) is an effective method of trophic evaluation in deep-sea Artic fish communities using stomach content and parasite data with size class, and evaluated the application of endohelminth communities (parasite species transmitted in the food) as indicators of trophic status. Cluster analysis using food group abundance with size class of fish revealed the presence of 11 guilds within the community, however the same analysis using parasite data showed little correlation between food and parasites. Redundancy analysis (RDA) within the 11 guilds also revealed no significant correlations between food group and parasite abundance suggesting that this type of ordination is not suited for environments containing mainly generalist feeders. RDA of individual taxa without a priori guild designation found that taxa in benthic deep-sea communities are defined by their ability to exploit prey species in more than one habitat zone. Benthic fish species were significantly correlated with benthic food groups and parasites that utilize benthic intermediate hosts whereas benthopelagic–pelagic species fed on a higher diversity of prey species and were infected by a larger number of non-host specific parasites. Eigenanalysis and Monte Carlo results showed that parasites and food groups are highly correlated, indicating that parasite community analysis is an effective tool for predicting feeding strategies in Arctic marine environments. It also suggests that in most cases endoparasite infections alone could be used for trophic evaluation in the absence of stomach content data.     

The management of European estuaries: A comparison of the features,controls and management framework of the Tagus (Portugal) and Humber (England)

The paper describes the local, national, European and wider-area framework, statutes, and formal and voluntary mechanisms for managing European estuaries. These aspects are discussed in relation to two large and representative estuarine systems, the Tagus, Portugal, and the Humber, on the English North Sea coast As estuaries are sites of many activities and uses, most of which are encouraged or at least condoned, management has the role of preventing and resolving conflicts between those uses and users. Accepted uses of estuaries include the discharge and dumping of waste materials, fin and shell-fisheries, conservation, land reclamation, natural usage, abstraction by industry, and recreation. Estuarine management is now being carried out within the constraints of local and regional government planning, planning and activities of water pollution control bodies, fisheries control bodies, and navigation and port authorities The Tagus and Humber estuaries support all of the above activities and uses, and have controls within a European legislative framework but have differing histories of management and planning in order to resolve conflicts. In addition the Humber is subject to controls placed on North Sea areas. The paper discusses the relevant national and European legislation (Directives) and accepted practices for management. Furthermore, the paper discusses the formulation and practice of estuarine management plans as used by various bodies (nature conservation, water quality and regional authority). It is of particular note that the lessons from these two estuaries are relevant to many other European estuaries.     

Structure,Dynamics and Production of Mesozooplankton Community in the Bothnian Bay,Related to Environmental Factors

Studies on the zooplankton community of the Bothnian Bay (BB), the northernmost basin of the Baltic Sea, were carried out in 1976–78. Only 8–14 taxa dominated in the zooplankton community. The highest abundances and biomasses occurred during the warmest period or immediately afterwards, in July–September. The production of zooplankton was estimated to be 3.1–7.8 g C · m⁻². a⁻¹ in the coastal area and 2.5–3.6 g C · m⁻² · a⁻¹ in the open sea. During the short growing season (June–September) the biomass turnover took place in about 11 days. The productivity of zooplankton is discussed in relation to available food of both autochthonous and allochthonous origin and compared with the other parts of the Baltic Sea.     

Growth variability of juvenile soles Solea solea and Solea senegalensis, and comparison with RNA : DNA ratios in the Tagus estuary, Portugal

Growth variability and condition of juvenile soles Solea solea and Solea senegalensis , were assessed through RNA : DNA estimates and compared to absolute growth rates. Higher mean cohort RNA : DNA ratios were observed for cohort I at the beginning of estuarine occurrence for both species (4·42 and 4·87, for S. solea and S. senegalensis respectively). Despite different estuarine colonization habits, no significant differences were observed between RNA : DNA monthly variation for both sole species within the same year ( P  > 0·05 for 2003 and 2004). Juvenile S. senegalensis showed significant differences between RNA : DNA ratios obtained for the two nursery areas ( P  < 0·001). The decrease of seasonal growth rates with fish age was similar to seasonal variation of mean RNA : DNA values. Thus the RNA : DNA pattern of juvenile S. solea and S. senegalensis reflected growth and estuarine colonization patterns.     

The Use of Artificial Benthic Collectors for Assessment of Spatial Patterns of Settlement of Megalopae of Carcinus maenas (L.) (Brachyura: Portunidae) in the Lower Mira Estuary, Portugal

Artificial benthic collectors have been widely used for the assessment of settlement rates of decapod crustaceans. However, to date no consistent works have addressed spatial patterns of settlement in different estuarine habitats, and no specific studies targeted the interaction of artificial surfaces with the surrounding natural substrate. It may be expected that the artificial surface may produce a different thigmotactic response when compared to the natural substrate, which may limit the use of this technique for assessment of natural settlement rates. In this study the settlement rates of megalopae of the estuarine crab Carcinus maenas were addressed, specifically deploying artificial benthic collectors in different habitats both intertidal and subtidal in the lower Mira estuary. A number of experiments were performed concerning stratification and temporal fluctuations of settlement. Further, the interaction of collector surface with the surrounding substrate was investigated, by comparing settlement rates in natural and artificial substrates in different habitats. Results have shown significant differences in settlement between different estuarine habitats, both in spatially replicated experiments and in a high-resolution temporal experiment. However, comparison between settlement rates in artificial and natural substrates has shown that there is a strong interference between collectors and surrounding substrate, limiting interpretation of results concerning settlement rates in artificial substrate alone.