象山港国华电厂强增温海域浮游植物群落结构的季节性格局

为探索电厂温排水对浮游植物群落结构的影响, 于2011年2月(冬)、5月(春)、8月(夏)和11月(秋), 用浮游生物III型网(网目77 μm)在象山港国华电厂邻近海域的强增温区进行10站位2重复的浮游植物取样。结果表明, 共有浮游植物51种, 以硅藻门占绝对优势, 共20属48种。该海域年平均丰度为71.5 ×104 indm–³, 物种多样性最高发生在秋季, 而春季最低。4个季节的优势种有16种, 其中, 春季和冬季各检出1种, 分别为中心圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus centralis)和中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum), 其他季节最主要优势种为中华盒形藻(Biddulphia sinensis )、丹麦细柱藻(Leptocylindrus danicus)和洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus)。相似性分析(ANOSIM)和相似性百分比(SIMPER)分析显示, 各季节间群落结构存在显著差异(R＝0.992, p<0.01), 尤其在夏季, 温排水对浮游植物群落结构有明显影响, 适高温的角毛藻倾向于聚集到排水口附近海域, 这可能会增加高温期角毛藻赤潮的概率。     

1998年秋季渤海中部及其邻近海域的网采浮游植物群落

研究了1998年秋季覆盖渤海中部和渤海海峡及其邻近海域30个测站两遍大面调查的网采浮游植物物种及其群落特征。经初步分析,共发现浮游植物3门类38属84种(不包括未定名物种),物种主要以硅藻为主,但甲藻在群落中的比重也很明显,在个别站位上会成为优势类群。优势物种主要为偏心圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus excentricus)、梭状角藻(Ceratium fusus)、洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus)、浮动弯角藻(Eucampia zodiacus)、叉状角藻(Ceratium furca)、佛氏海线藻(Thalassionema frauenfeldii)、中华半管藻(Hemiaulus sinensis)、尖刺伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia pungens)、布氏双尾藻(Ditylum brightwellii)、粗刺角藻(Ceratium horridum)、掌状冠盖藻(Stephanopyxis palmeriana)和萎软几内亚藻(Guinardia flaccida)。细胞丰度的平面分布由主要浮游硅藻的分布所决定,其高值区分布在渤海湾、渤海中部、莱州湾北部和渤海海峡南部。浮游甲藻在渤海湾北部和莱州湾北部等局部区域形成高值区,并影响浮游植物的平面分布。两遍大面站调查期间渤海浮游植物群落的结构是相对保守的,渤海浮游植物群落季节和周年的变化主要是物种演替过程。调查期处于浮游植物群落的负增长时期,其主要原因是物理水文作用的结果。与1982年的历史同期浮游植物群落相比,角毛藻属衰退,浮游甲藻、圆筛藻属和浮动弯角藻兴起。但与1992年的历史同期浮游植物群落相比,群落优势种组成相近。同1982年和1992年同期资料相比,浮游植物细胞丰度和平面分布大致相等。渤海秋季浮游植物群落结构在近20a是相对保守的,影响秋季浮游植物群落发展的主要因素是物理水文作用。     

莱州湾金城海域网采浮游植物年际变化及与环境因子的关系

为了解莱州湾金城海域浮游植物群落年际变化特征,在该海域设置了15个监测站位,于2009年和2010年采用浅水Ⅲ型浮游生物网逐月连续进行24个航次浮游植物调查,同步监测其他环境因子。浮游植物样品经鲁格氏溶液固定后在OLYMPUS BX_(51)显微镜下进行分类、鉴定、计数,共鉴定出浮游植物81种,隶属于硅藻门、甲藻门、黄藻门和金藻门4门25科43属。其中硅藻16科33属67种,占种类数的82.7%;甲藻6科7属11种,占种类数的13.6%;黄藻2科2属2种,占种类数的2.5%;金藻1科1属1种,占种类数的1.2%。2009年和2010年金城海域浮游植物种类组成和比例基本一致,浮游植物丰度年际变化和种类数年际变化均呈现明显的双峰模型,每年2月和9月为高峰期,5月为全年最低值。2009年和2010年细胞丰度均值分别为465×10~4(38.4×10~4—1351×10~4)个/m~3和457×10~4(41.8×10~4—1380×10~4)个/m~3,均低于1982—1983年平均水平。浮游植物群落年际相似性在60%水平聚类分为四个类群,其中Ⅰ类为5月份样品,优势种为夜光藻和洛氏角毛藻;Ⅱ类为11—4月份样品,优势种有中肋骨条藻、旋链角毛藻和夜光藻;Ⅲ类为8、9、10月份样品,优势种为洛氏角毛藻和丹麦细柱藻;Ⅳ类为6、7月份样品,优势种为洛氏角毛藻和尖刺拟菱形藻。浮游植物群落Shannon-Winner多样性指数平均2.715 (1.446—3.807),Margalef丰富度指数平均2.418 (1.545—3.153),Pielou均匀度指数平均0.523 (0.263—0.706)。2009年和2010年多样性指数和均匀度高峰值出现在3月和10月,低值出现在7月和9月;均匀度指数年际变化低值出现在6—9月。浮游植物群落结构主要受水温和盐度环境因素的影响,其中水温与洛氏角毛藻丰度呈极显著正相关(R=0.613,P0.01),与旋链角毛藻、中肋骨条藻和夜光藻丰度呈极显著负相关(R=-0.662,-0.649,-0.649,P0.01);化学需氧量与旋链角毛藻和中肋骨条藻均呈显著负相关(R=-0.589,-0.480,P0.05);盐度与中肋骨条藻呈极显著负相关(R=-0.585,P0.01);其他环境因子与各优势种丰度相关性不明显。     

金门岛北部海域浮游植物的季节变动及与环境的关联

采用2013—2014年四季度月在金门岛北部海域获取的浮游植物及环境因子监测数据, 分析该区浮游植物的群落结构和季节变化及其与温度、盐度、悬浮物、营养盐、叶绿素等的关系, 初步探讨涉海工程建设对浮游植物群落的潜在影响。结果显示, 鉴定出的浮游植物隶属3门43属82种(不含未定种), 群落构成以硅藻为主, 其次是甲藻, 蓝藻仅1种。物种组成的季节差异较大, 3月物种贫乏, 1月次之, 7月和11月最丰富。四季丰度平均为47.09×103 cells/L, 1月丰度最高, 7月次之, 11月最低, 3月高于11月少许。四季优势种均为硅藻, 13个优势种分别为柔弱几内亚藻(Guinardia delicatula)、短角弯角藻(Ecampia zoodicaus)、骨条藻(Skeletonema spp.)、具槽帕拉藻(Paralia sulcata)、微小海链藻(Thalassiosira exigua)、标志星杆藻(Asterionella notula)、旋链角毛藻(Chaetoceros curvisetus)、新月菱形藻(Nitzchia closterium)、派格棍形藻(Bacillaria paxillifera)、异常角毛藻(Chaetoceros abmormis)、小细柱藻(Leptocylindrus minutum)、宽角曲舟藻(Pleurosigma angulatum)和美丽曲舟藻(Pleurosigma formosum)。不同季节优势种有一定程度交错, 仅在单季占优的有6种, 有2/3在3个以上季节出现, 具槽帕拉藻、骨条藻为四季优势种。浮游植物物种多样性和均匀度总体较好, 群落结构稳定。与毗邻海区相比, 本区物种丰富度偏低, 丰度高于毗邻海区, 种类组成相似, 优势种却有较大差别。Pearson相关分析表明, 溶解无机氮及活性磷酸盐仅在1月与丰度存在极显著的正相关, 是促使丰度为四季最高的原因。涉海工程施工产生的悬浮物和冲击波是影响浮游植物群落的主要因素, 大量海洋工程建设案例表明, 施工期造成的浮游植物丰度下降趋势和优势种更替混乱在工程结束后能得以恢复。     

西沙宣德群岛海域浮游植物群落及其影响因子

为了解西沙宣德群岛海域浮游植物群落结构特征,于2019年2月和11月对该海域进行采样调查,分析浮游植物群落组成及环境影响因素。两个航次共发现109种浮游植物,其中硅藻门最多,有81种。冬秋季节优势种不尽相同,冬季优势种为铁氏束毛藻(Trichodesmium thiebautii)、红海束毛藻(T. erythraeum)和标志星杆藻(Asterionella notata)等,秋季优势种为菱形海线藻(Thalassionema nitzschioides)、丹麦细柱藻(Leptocylindrus danicus)和劳氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus)。冬季浮游植物平均丰度[(5.27±6.14)×10⁷ cells/L]显著高于秋季[(1.56±1.40)×10⁵ cells/L]。浮游植物群落分布主要受亚硝酸盐、盐度等环境因子影响。冬秋季各站位浮游植物群落的多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数平均值分别为3.15、0.71、1.36和3.28、0.75、1.77。因此,宣德群岛海域冬秋季节浮游植物群落多样性较高,物...     

1999年春季渤海中部及其邻近海域的网采浮游植物群落

研究了 1999年春季覆盖渤海中部、渤海海峡及其邻近海域 30个测站两遍大面调查的浮游植物物种及其群落特征 ,共发现浮游植物 4门 33属 6 5种 (不包括未定名物种 ) ,以硅藻为主。优势种主要为 :冰河拟星杆藻 (Asterionellopsisglacialis)、虹彩圆筛藻 (Coscinodiscus oculus- iridis)、太阳双尾藻 (Ditylum sol)、刚毛根管藻 (Rhizosolenia setigera)、布氏双尾藻 (Ditylumbrightwellii)、中肋骨条藻 (Skeletonema costatum)、膜状缪氏藻 (Meuniera membranacea)、派格棍形藻 (Bacillaria paxillifera)、加拉星平藻 (Asteroplanus karianus)、圆海链藻 (Thalassiosira rotula)、卡氏角毛藻 (Chaetoceros castracanei)和尖刺伪菱形藻(Pseudo- nitzschia pungens)。细胞丰度的平面分布主要由浮游硅藻的分布所决定 ,其高值区分布在渤海中部靠近渤海海峡处。浮游甲藻在渤海海峡局部区域形成高值区。两遍大面站调查期间渤海浮游植物群落的结构变化较大 ,原因主要是春季以小细胞为主体的浮游植物群落物种演替较快 ,另外春季的大风过程对浮游植物的群落结构影响较大。两遍大面站调查期间浮游植物细胞丰度呈增长趋势 ,温度和硅酸盐浓度的增加是导致调查期浮游植物生长的重要因素。E5站浮游植物群落的分析表明 :春     

台山附近海域浮游植物的季节变化及其与环境因子的关系

于2015年12月至2016年9月,对台山附近海域浮游植物群落结构及环境因子进行了4个季度调查。记录浮游植物113种,分属6门64属,其中以硅藻种类最多,达31属67种,占59.2%;甲藻次之,10属18种,占15.9%;硅藻的种类组成和丰度均占绝对优势,其次为甲藻、绿藻,甲藻丰度春季最高,而绿藻丰度最高则出现在夏季;浮游植物年平均丰度为7.06×105cells·L~(-1),春季明显高于其他3个季节,呈现春(2.65×106cells·L~(-1))、夏(6.3×104cells·L~(-1))、秋(5.6×104cells·L~(-1))、冬(5.4×104cells·L~(-1))递减的趋势;主要优势种有丹麦细柱藻(Leptocylindrus danicus)、洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus)、辐射圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus radiates)、布氏双尾藻(Ditylum brightwellii)、中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)和球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)等,其中中肋骨条藻为全年优势种;浮游植物物种多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度年平均值分别为2.98、3.34和0.69;温度、盐度、p H、化学需氧量、硝酸盐及活性磷酸盐在不同季节不同程度影响着浮游植物群落结构,形成春季高峰的关键因子是盐度、p H和硝酸盐。     

海州湾人工鱼礁海域春、夏季浮游植物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

根据2009年5月和8月海州湾人工鱼礁建设海域水化学和浮游生物调查资料,对浮游植物群落结构进行了研究,并运用灰色关联分析方法对浮游植物丰度与环境因子的关系进行相关性分析。结果表明,海州湾浮游植物群落组成以硅藻为主;浮游植物丰度的时间分布以夏季平均丰度为3.06×106 cells／m^3,高于春季的3.12×104 cells／m^3;空间分布表现为鱼礁区高于对照区,以夏季鱼礁区站点R5的7.97×106cells／m^3最高,其次为夏季R3的7.53×106cells／m^3;对群落多样性的研究表明,春、夏两季鱼礁区香农一威纳指数（H＇）均值均高于对照区;春季影响浮游植物丰度的主要环境因子依次为：可溶性无机氮（DIP）、BOD5和悬浮物（SS）,而活性硅酸盐（SiO3-Si）、活性磷酸盐（PO4-P）和BOD5对夏季浮游植物丰度影响较大。     

东海浮游植物数量分布与优势种

根据1997～2000年东海23°30′～33°N、118°30′～128°E海域4个季节海洋调查资料,运用定量、定性方法,探讨了东海浮游植物总丰度的平面分布、季节分布及变化的动力学机制,同时还探讨了东海浮游植物优势种的生态学特征和对温盐环境适应特征。结果表明:东海浮游植物总丰度有明显的季节分布,秋季总丰度达到4季最高峰,均值为211.91×104cell.m-3,夏季次之(50.40×104cell.m-3),冬季11.34×104cell.m-3,春季(2.01×104cel.lm-3)最低。春夏季东海近海(Ⅰ和Ⅲ)高于外海(Ⅱ和Ⅳ),秋冬季东海北部外海(Ⅱ)高于近海(Ⅰ),南部近海(Ⅲ)高于外海(Ⅳ)。4季共出现优势种(Y≥0.02)11种,冬季的主要优势种为洛氏角毛藻和细弱海链藻,春季的主要优势种为洛氏角毛藻和夜光藻,夏季以拟弯角毛藻和细长翼根管藻为主要优势种,秋季优势种仅为聚生角毛藻。浮游植物的聚集强度指数为较大正值,聚集作用明显。从全年的逐步回归分析结果看,温度是影响浮游植物总丰度季节分布的主要因子,盐度是次要因子。浮游植物的11个优势种之间生存环境适应比较,洛氏角毛藻和中华盒形藻生长温度幅度较大,可以在12～28℃水温增长,因而春、夏和冬季都成为优势种。中肋骨条藻适合生长的水温范围都较小,仅为22～28℃。聚生角毛藻更小,仅21～25℃。洛氏角毛藻和中华盒形藻生长温盐度和高分布区温盐度范围比聚生角毛藻和中肋骨条藻都广,而秋季数量却低于聚生角毛藻。     

东海低氧区及邻近水域浮游植物的季节变化

根据2011年5月、8月、11月在东海低氧区及邻近水域(25°00'—33°30'N,120°00'—127°30'E)进行的多学科综合调查,对东海低氧区及邻近水域浮游植物群落结构特征及季节变化进行了相关研究。经Utermhl方法初步分析共鉴定出浮游植物4门74属248种(含变种、变型,不含未定种),主要由硅藻和甲藻组成,此外还有少量的金藻和蓝藻。春季优势种主要为具齿原甲藻(Prorocentrum dentatum)、柔弱伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissim)、骨条藻(Skeletonema sp.)和具槽帕拉藻(Paralia sulcata);夏季主要是中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)和海链藻(Thalassiosira sp.);秋季主要是具槽帕拉藻、圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus sp.)和柔弱伪菱形藻。调查区浮游植物平均细胞丰度在夏季最高,达到85.002×103个/L,春季次之,秋季最低。在水平方向上,春、夏两季,表层浮游植物细胞丰度在近岸出现高值,由近岸到外海细胞丰度逐渐降低;而在秋季则相反,在调查海域的东北部出现高值,随离岸距离的增加细胞丰度逐渐增加。在垂直方向上,春、夏两季,浮游植物细胞丰度在表层出现最大值,随着深度的增加细胞丰度逐渐降低;而在秋季细胞丰度分布比较均匀,随水深变化不明显。调查区表层浮游植物ShannonWiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数的平面分布基本一致,并且与细胞丰度的分布大致呈镶嵌分布。调查浮游植物群落的演替规律是:从春季的甲藻(具齿原甲藻、微小原甲藻(Prorocentrum minimum)等)为主,硅藻(柔弱伪菱形藻、骨条藻等)为辅;演替至夏季的硅藻(中肋骨条藻、海链藻等)为主,甲藻(主要是梭状角藻(Ceratium fusus)和叉状角藻(Ceratium furca))为辅,到秋季进一步演替为硅藻(具槽帕拉藻、圆筛藻、柔弱伪菱形藻等)为主,铁氏束毛藻(Trichodesmium thiebaultii)为辅。浮游植物物种组成、优势种、细胞丰度及多样性指数均表现出明显的时空变化。低氧区与非低氧区浮游植物群集存在明显差异。     

象山港春季网采浮游植物的分布特征及其影响因素

根据2010年春季象山港28个站位的网采样品,共鉴定出浮游植物6门55属158种,其中硅藻135种(占总丰度的99.0%),甲藻18种,其余门类(金藻、蓝藻、绿藻和隐藻)5种。浮游植物平均丰度为35.29×104个/m3,其分布呈较强的斑块状(3.41×104—142.35×104个/m3),高值区位于横山至白石山水域及乌沙山电厂邻近水域。Shannon-Weiner多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数总体表现为港口和港口外高于港中部和港底。琼氏圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus jonesianus)为绝对优势种,其丰度(284.97×103个/m3)占总丰度的80.8%。典范对应分析结果显示,影响浮游植物群落的主要因子依次为透明度、悬浮物、温度、水深和氮磷比。光照充足、电厂温排水适度温升、营养盐丰富和氮磷比合适(接近Redfield比值16)导致了港内微藻旺发。受径流、水交换和海洋开发等影响,象山港的理化参数表现了明显的斑块和梯度分布,这为浮游植物的生长提供了不同类型的生境,客观上造成了其分布的空间异质性。聚类、多维尺度和相似性分析结果表明,港底、港中部、港口至港口外区域间的群落组成差异较大。结合历史数据分析表明,象山港浮游植物丰度的升高及群落结构的改变与电厂运行、水产养殖、临港工业发展和滩涂围垦等海洋开发活动有关。     

Quantitative assessment of fish assemblages on artificial reefs using acoustic and conventional netting methods,in Xiangshan Bay,Zhejiang Province,China

Artificial reefs are often deployed by many countries for the purpose of enhancing fishing after a period of several years. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of a pilot artificial reef system deployment in enhancing the demersal fish assemblages, investigated using both acoustic methods and bottom trammel nets, during four years between 2011 and 2017, in Xiangshan Bay, Zhejiang Province, China. Comparisons of community indices, including fish biomass, species richness and species diversity, indicated relatively consistent trends between the control sites and the artificial reefs following their deployment in 2012. Fish density, represented by the value of the nautical area scattering coefficient, and fish biomass were significantly higher on the artificial reefs than at the control sites in 2015 and 2017, and species richness and diversity were significantly greater at the reefs from 2013 to 2017. Blackhead seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) and false kelpfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus) were the dominant fishes on the artificial reefs, and the average body lengths of these two species were significantly greater 40 and 64 months after deployment. Thus, construction of the artificial reefs appears to have achieved their primary purpose as fish-attraction devices, thereby contributing to ecological restoration in Xiangshan Bay.     

Using bioacoustics and conventional netting methods to assess the initial effectiveness of a newly deployed artificial reef on fish assemblages in Xiangshan Bay near Ningbo,Zhejiang Province,China

Objectives of the study were ascertaining the temporal variation of fish density and biomass as well as the changes in fish species composition in a surveyed area before and after deployment of an artificial reef. The study was initiated within an area of 0.25 km² in response to a strong demand for fisheries enhancement and resource conservation in Xiangshan Bay, Zhejiang Province, China. This survey data was collected through a SIMRAD EY60 system and bottom trinal nets pre‐ and post‐construction of the artificial reefs, May 2011 to September 2012 in Xiangshan Bay. The raw data were analyzed using fisheries acoustic Echoview (Myriax) software combined with bottom trinal net data. The results showed that estimated fish density, represented by a nautical area scattering coefficient (NASC) at the artificial reef increased by 14.04, 31.10, 17.35% in May, July and September 2012 after construction of the artificial reef, and that the fish biomass increased by 8.92, 29.06, and 18.09% in these three months of 2012 in contrast to 2011. The numbers of fish species varied from 7 to 9 in May, from 10 to 14 in July and from 9 to 12 in September of 2012. These temporal changes in the fishery status were considered as being mainly due to deployment of the artificial reefs in early April 2012.     

Accounting for Multiple Foundation Species in Oyster Reef Restoration Benefits

Many coastal habitat restoration projects are focused on restoring the population of a single foundation species to recover an entire ecological community. Estimates of the ecosystem services provided by the restoration project are used to justify, prioritize, and evaluate such projects. However, estimates of ecosystem services provided by a single species may vastly under‐represent true provisioning, as we demonstrate here with an example of oyster reefs, often restored to improve estuarine water quality. In the brackish Chesapeake Bay, the hooked mussel Ischadium recurvum can have greater abundance and biomass than the focal restoration species, the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. We measured the temperature‐dependent phytoplankton clearance rates of both bivalves and their filtration efficiency on three size classes of phytoplankton to parameterize an annual model of oyster reef filtration, with and without hooked mussels, for monitored oyster reefs and restoration scenarios in the eastern Chesapeake Bay. The inclusion of filtration by hooked mussels increased the filtration capacity of the habitat greater than 2‐fold. Hooked mussels were also twice as effective as oysters at filtering picoplankton (1.5–3 µm), indicating that they fill a distinct ecological niche by controlling phytoplankton in this size class, which makes up a significant proportion of the phytoplankton load in summer. When mussel and oyster filtration are accounted for in this, albeit simplistic, model, restoration of oyster reefs in a tributary scale restoration is predicted to control 100% of phytoplankton during the summer months.     

Fish Assemblages on Estuarine Artificial Reefs: Natural Rocky-Reef Mimics or Discrete Assemblages?

If the primary goal of artificial reef construction is the creation of additional reef habitat that is comparable to adjacent natural rocky-reef, then performance should be evaluated using simultaneous comparisons with adjacent natural habitats. Using baited remote underwater video (BRUV) fish assemblages on purpose-built estuarine artificial reefs and adjacent natural rocky-reef and sand-flat were assessed 18 months post-deployment in three south-east Australian estuaries. Fish abundance, species richness and diversity were found to be greater on the artificial reefs than on either naturally occurring reef or sand-flat in all estuaries. Comparisons within each estuary identified significant differences in the species composition between the artificial and natural rocky-reefs. The artificial reef assemblage was dominated by sparid species including Acanthopagrus australis and Rhabdosargus sarba. The preference for a range of habitats by theses sparid species is evident by their detection on sand-flat, natural rocky reef and artificial reef habitats. The fish assemblage identified on the artificial reefs remained distinct from the adjacent rocky-reef, comprising a range of species drawn from naturally occurring rocky-reef and sand-flat. In addition, some mid-water schooling species including Trachurus novaezelandiae and Pseudocaranx georgianus were only identified on the artificial reef community; presumably as result of the reef''s isolated location in open-water. We concluded that estuarine artificial reef assemblages are likely to differ significantly from adjacent rocky-reef, potentially as a result of physical factors such as reef isolation, coupled with species specific behavioural traits such as the ability of some species to traverse large sand flats in order to locate reef structure, and feeding preferences. Artificial reefs should not be viewed as direct surrogates for natural reef. The assemblages are likely to remain distinct from naturally occurring habitat comprised of species that reside on a range of adjacent natural habitats.     

Changes in gastropod assemblages in freshwater habitats in the vicinity of Basel (Switzerland) over 87 years

Net pen fish farms generally enrich the surrounding waters and the underlying sediments with nutrients and organic matter, and these loadings can cause a variety of environmental problems, such as algal blooms and sediment anoxia. In this study we test the potential of biofiltration by artificial reefs for reducing the negative environmental impacts surrounding fish farms in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Two triangular-shaped artificial reefs (reef volume 8.2 m³) constructed from porous durable polyethylene were deployed at 20 m; one below a commercial fish farm and the other 500 m west of this farm in order to monitor the colonization of these reefs by the local fauna and to determine whether the reef community can remove fish farm effluents from the water. Both reefs became rapidly colonized by a wide variety of organisms with potential for the removal of compounds released from the farms. Within the first year of this study fish abundances and the number of species reached 518–1185 individuals per reef and 25–42 species per reef. Moreover, numerous benthic algae; small sessile invertebrates (bryozoa, tunicates, bivalves, polychaetes, sponges, anemones) and large motile macrofauna (crustaceans, sea urchins, gastropods) settled on the reef surfaces. Depletion of chlorophyll a was measured in the water traversing the artificial reefs in order to assess the biofiltration capacity of the associated fauna. Chlorophyll a was significantly reduced to a level 15–35% lower than ambient concentrations. This reduction was greatest at intermediate current speeds (3–10 cm s^–1), but was not influenced by current direction. The reef structures served as a successful base for colonization by natural fauna and flora, thereby boosting the local benthic biodiversity, and also served as effective biofilters of phytoplankton.     

Seascape-scale trophic links for fish on inshore coral reefs

It is increasingly accepted that coastal habitats such as inshore coral reefs do not function in isolation but rather as part of a larger habitat network. In the Caribbean, trophic subsidies from habitats adjacent to coral reefs support the diet of reef fishes, but it is not known whether similar trophic links occur on reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Here, we test whether reef fishes in inshore coral, mangrove, and seagrass habitats are supported by trophic links. We used carbon stable isotopes and mathematical mixing models to determine the minimum proportion of resources from mangrove or seagrass habitats in the diet of five fish species from coral reefs at varying distances (0–2,200 m) from these habitats in Moreton Bay, Queensland, eastern Australia. Of the fish species that are more abundant on reefs near to mangroves, Lutjanus russelli and Acanthopagrus australis showed no minimum use of diet sources from mangrove habitat. Siganus fuscescens utilized a minimum of 25–44 % mangrove sources and this contribution increased with the proximity of reefs to mangroves (R ² = 0.91). Seagrass or reef flat sources contributed a minimum of 14–78 % to the diet of Diagramma labiosum, a species found in higher abundance on reefs near seagrass beds, but variation in diet among reefs was unrelated to seascape structure. Seagrass or reef flat sources also contributed a minimum of 8–55 % to a fish species found only on reefs (Pseudolabrus guentheri), indicating that detrital subsidies from these habitats may subsidize fish diet on reefs. These results suggest that carbon sources from multiple habitats contribute to the functioning of inshore coral reef ecosystems and that trophic connectivity between reefs and mangroves may enhance production of a functionally important herbivore.     

Dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity of a Hawaiian fringing reef: chemical techniques for monitoring the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs

There is an interest in developing approaches to “ecosystem-based” management for coral reefs. One aspect of ecosystem performance is to monitor carbon metabolism of whole communities. In an effort to explore robust techniques to monitor the metabolism of fringing reefs, especially considering the possible effects of ocean acidification, a yearlong study of the carbonate chemistry of a nearshore fringing reef in Hawaii was conducted. Diurnal changes in seawater carbonate chemistry were measured once a week in an algal-dominated and a coral-dominated reef flat on the Waimanalo fringing reef, Hawaii, from April of 2010 until May of 2011. Calculated rates of gross primary production (GPP) and net community calcification (G) were similar to previous estimates of community metabolism for other coral reefs (GPP 971 mmol C m^?2 d^?1; G 186 mmol CaCO₃ m^?2 d^?1) and indicated that this reef was balanced in terms of organic metabolism, exhibited net calcification, and was a net source of CO₂ to the atmosphere. Average slopes of total alkalinity versus dissolved inorganic carbon (TA–DIC slope) for the coral-dominated reef flat exhibited a greater calcification-to-net photosynthesis ratio than for the algal-dominated reef flat (coral slope vs. algal slope). Over the course of the time series, TA–DIC slopes remained significantly different between sites and were not correlated with diurnal averages in reef-water residence time or solar irradiance. These characteristic slopes for each reef flat reflect the relationship between carbon and carbonate community metabolism and can be used as a tool to monitor ecosystem function in response to ocean acidification.     

Dynamic analysis of phytoplankton community characteristics in Daya Bay, China

Daya Bay is a large bay along the southern coast of China. The composition, abundance, community structure and diversity of phytoplankton in Daya Bay were investigated to assess its status in different seasons in 2002, and a total of 48 genera and 114 species of phytoplankton were identified. The cell abundance of phytoplankton varied from 5.79 × 10⁴ cells/m³ to 5.37 × 10⁶ cells/m³ with an average of 1.14×10⁶ cells/m³. The largest community was Bacillariophyta containing 84 taxa, and its average abundance was 1.08 × 10⁶ cells/m³. Annual abundance variations show a typical one-peak cycle, with the highest peak recorded during summer and the lowest recorded during autumn. The ecotypes of phytoplankton were mostly alongshore warm-water species; however, marine warm-water species and eurytopic species during winter and autumn are more abundant than during the other seasons. The dominant species were diverse and varied with seasons. The species diversity index of phytoplankton in Daya Bay was low during summer, especially near the nuclear power station (NPS) and the aquaculture farms during summer and autumn. Community structure and cell abundance were categorized in relation to monsoon, current and anthropological activities. It is presented that the temperature and hydrodynamics in conjunction with the pattern of nutrients (DIN, DIP and N/P) availability and depletion affect the composition, abundance, community structure, community succession and diversity of phytoplankton.     

Mass Mortality of Coral Reef Ascidians Following the 1997/1998 El Niño Event

In April/May each year from 1995 to 2000, ascidians were sampled randomly with 35 1m² quadrats from three different reef habitats (intertidal reef tops, coastal reef walls and shallow-bank reefs) at four replicate localities (Praia do Forte, Itacimirim, Guarajuba and Abai) in northern Bahia (Brazil). As the sampling period included the 1997/1998 El Niño event, the most severe on record, for the first time these results allow a quantitative assessment of the impact of this major environmental stressor on the biodiversity of associated coral reef ascidians. Across all reef habitats, 22 ascidian species were recorded from three different orders (Aplousobranchia, Phlebobranchia and Stolidobranchia). After El Niño, all species showed significantly altered densities (ANOVA, F=602.90, p<0.0001); many species were absent from the reefs within 2 years of the El Niño period, but densities of Lissoclinum perforatum (all reefs) and Echinoclinum verrilli (subtidal reefs) increased significantly from 1998 onwards. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that significant changes in assemblage composition had occurred. BIOENV analysis identified turbidity, mean temperature and cloud cover as the main factors best explaining these assemblage changes. Our results suggest that although the 1997/1998 El Niño had a differential effect on the species contributing to the ascidian assemblage of Brazilian coral reefs, most species disappeared and those remaining are likely to enhance reef degradation through their bioeroding activities.