Assessing the geographical distribution of carnivorous and planktivorous fishes in the western Bay of Bengal

There is a clear distinction in the feeding habits of fishes between the northeastern and southeastern Arabian Sea (west coast of India) — the north is carnivorous, and the south is planktivorous —, but such a distinction is not available for the western Bay of Bengal (BoB; comprising the east coast of India and the coasts of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh). We address this question by using publicly available landing data of finfishes for the four Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal) located along the western boundary of the BoB. Our analysis shows that the southwestern BoB is rich in fisheries and is more planktivorous compared to the northwestern BoB, which is more carnivorous. North–south variability exists even within the group of fishes such as anchovies and carangids. The meagre landing information for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh suggests that they show planktivorous and carnivorous characteristics of the southwestern and northwestern BoB, respectively. We show that monthly data and clarity on where the fish were caught are necessary to link the climatic conditions to the fishery along the western BoB. The landings on the Arabian-Sea and Gulf-of-Mannar part of the Tamil Nadu coast must be separated from the landings on its BoB coast. This separation can not be done with existing landing data and should be the first step in analysing fisheries data from the western BoB. The challenges in delineating the distribution of finfishes using available data illustrated here deliver guidance for future data collection and analysis at higher spatial and temporal scales for sustainable fisheries resource management in the region.     

The Meroplankton of Amurskii Bay (Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan)

Russian Journal of Marine Biology - The composition and seasonal dynamics of meroplankton in Amurskii Bay (Sea of Japan) were studied for the first time. The total survey period exceeded two years....     

Gnathia gurjanovae sp. n., a new species of Gnathiids (Isopoda: Gnathiidae) from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

A new species of isopods of the suborder Gnathiidae, Gnathia gurjanovae sp. n. has been described from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan. The new species is most similar to G. derzhavini Gurjanova, 1933, but differs from the latter in a series of morphological characteristics of the male: frontal margin of the head bears a well-pronounced mediofrontal process; each mandible has an unarmed carina and an obscure tooth; pereopod 6 is relatively smooth; the basis, ischium, and merus of pereopod 4 bear strong spurlike processes.     

Zoobenthos of the Cheshskaya Bay (southeastern Barents Sea): spatial distribution and community structure in relation to environmental factors

Structural and functional characteristics of zoobenthos of the Cheshskaya Bay (SE Barents Sea) were studied at 21 stations in June/July 1995. Strong prevailing cyclonic and tidal currents result in relatively uniform temperature and salinity in the area. Sediments consist mainly of sand and pebbles, while the flux of suspended matter from rivers locally increases the share of finer fractions. Analysis of species composition (419 taxa), abundance (up to 4,200 ind m⁻² and up to 29,000 ind m⁻² with juveniles) and biomass (up to >6,000 g wet wt m⁻²) indicates high species richness in most parts of the bay, especially in the northeast. Analysis of community structure using production characteristics of species revealed a general predominance of suspension feeders partitioned into seven communities. The dominant species of these communities were Mytilus edulis and Balanus crenatus (Type 1), B. crenatus (Type 2), Modiolus modiolus and Verruca stroemia (Type 3), Flustra foliacea and V. stroemia (Type 4), Hydrallmania falcata (Type 5), V. stroemia and Chirona hameri (Type 6), and Ophelia limacina (Type 7). The structure of the communities is mainly regulated by sediment type, water depth and, to some extent, by riverine input. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Fauna of Sponges (Porifera) of Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

A complete list of sponges of Peter the Great Bay (northwestern Sea of Japan) is presented comprising 40 species belonging to 27 genera, 19 families, 9 orders, and 2 classes. Information is presented about the biogeographical composition of sponge fauna of the bay, the depths of their habitats, and their substrates.Original Russian Text Copyright ¢ 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Khodakovskaya.     

Subtidal macrobenthos communities of Vostok Bay (Sea of Japan) under conditions of anthropogenic impact

Quantitative samples of the macrobenthos were collected in May, July, and October–November from 2000 to 2002 in Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan. The main characteristics of the subtidal macrobenthos communities are described. The present study shows that the rocky bottom communities of Vostok Bay have changed little over the past 30 years. Changes have occurred in the structure of soft bottom communities and phytocenoses. Analysis of the macrophytes species composition and the value of the floristic coefficient suggest a currently moderate anthropogenic load on Vostok Bay.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Biologiya Morya, Galysheva.     

Developing a risk assessment strategy for the Chesapeake Bay

Increased use of the world's natural resources, including water bodies such as the Chesapeake Bay, has resulted in additional burdens being placed on them. If continued, unrestricted use of such resources continues, degradation will occur to such an extent that some areas will be unsuitable for economic, social, and environmental uses. Regional risk assessment strategies must be developed so that actual or perceived risks can be evaluated and predicted on a regional scale. This article presents an initial strategy for the Chesapeake Bay that may be useful to scientists, managers, and elected officials responsible for other bodies of water as well. This article reviews risk assessment practices and proposes a strategy that utilizes appropriate endpoints to ascertain and predict risk.     

Seashore disturbance and management of the clonal Arctophila fulva: Modelling patch dynamics

Question: What is the population viability of a critically endangered seashore grass, Arctophila fulva var. pendulina. Location: Liminka Bay, W Finland, 25°21′70 N, 64°51′90 E. Methods: We constructed a matrix population model based on colonization and disappearance events and patch size changes of A. fulva. Patches were divided into hydric and non‐hydric zones according to proximity to the seashore and intensity of disturbance. Perturbation analyses were carried out in order to identify transitions critical for population growth. Seed bank and seed germination studies provided background information for the model design. Results: A. fulva patches observed in the more disturbed hydric zone (closest to the sea) increased in number, as did the total number of patches. However, the number of patches in the less disturbed non‐hydric zone decreased. Conclusions: Short‐term dynamics of the A. fulva population at Liminka Bay seem to be determined by environmental fluctuations, which cause annual variation in transition rates between patch size classes. The long‐term dynamics are probably governed by initiation of primary succession by isostatic land uplift. Increased disturbance at the water's edge may promote persistence of A. fulva through reduced interspecific competition. Our results suggest that shoreline disturbance of the hydric zone is sufficient for maintaining a viable population. Competitive exclusion of A. fulva in the non‐hydric zone may be delayed by management practices, such as mowing.     

粤港澳大湾区生态系统健康时空变化及其对城镇化的响应

区域生态系统健康评价是获取区域生态系统状况的重要手段，对生态保护和恢复具有现实的指导意义。研究从人类与生态系统耦合角度出发，基于生态系统完整性以及人类对生态系统服务的需求，在“活力-组织力-弹性”框架基础上引入生态系统服务供需指标构建评价框架。以粤港澳大湾区为例，分析2005—2018年生态系统健康时空变化特征及其对城镇化的响应。研究结果表明：(1)2005—2018年间，大湾区生态系统健康呈现中部低四周高的空间格局，以好，较好和一般水平为主；从时间变化上来看，大湾区四周山区生态系统健康状况有所改善，而中部地区健康状况则逐渐恶化。(2)大湾区生态系统活力在改善区域生态系统健康中发挥了重要的作用；此外，生态系统服务供需对传统生态系统健康评价结果进行适当修正，生态系统服务供需赤字加剧了中部地区生态系统健康状况的恶化。(3)大湾区生态系统健康与人口城镇化、土地城镇化间均存在显著的空间负相关性，其中，土地城镇化对生态系统健康的负面影响越来越显著，特别是大湾区中部地区。研究以期为生态系统健康评价提供新思路，同时为大湾区生态系统保护与管理提供参考。