福建沿岸红树林湿地多毛类生态分布

根据2009年至2012年在福建沿岸5块典型红树林湿地所作的调查资料,分析了福建沿岸红树林湿地多毛类的物种多样性、生态分布特点以及与环境因子的关系。研究区域春、秋两季共记录多毛类动物45种,其中沙蚕科、海稚虫科和小头虫科3个科种类最为丰富,种类属性为低盐或广盐性种类。多毛类平均密度和生物量分别为190个/m2和2.17 g/m2,样地×季节双因素方差分析表明,密度在不同样地间差异显著,密度和生物量的季节变化均为春季显著高于秋季。此外,林外光滩的多毛类数量要高于林内,不同样地的摄食群组成各异。红树林断面的平均种类数和多样性指数H'与沉积物粘土含量呈显著负相关,与多毛类类群的大尺度空间分布特征关联最为紧密的因子为地理纬度。     

Changes in the functional feeding groups of macrobenthic fauna during mangrove forest succession in Zhanjiang,China

Understanding the relationships between mangrove forest succession and the functional diversity of mangrove fauna could facilitate the restoration of mangrove ecosystems, which have been severely damaged in recent decades. The current report describes changes in macrobenthic functional diversity in a mangrove chronosequence that included a primary community (unvegetated shoal), an early community (Avicennia marina), a middle community (Aegiceras corniculatum), and a late community (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza?+?Rhizophora stylosa) in Zhanjiang, China. Phytophages were the dominant macrobenthic functional feeding group regardless of mangrove succession stage, sampling season, or macrobenthic faunal parameter (species richness, abundance, and biomass). As mangrove succession progressed, the proportions of macrobenthic species richness, abundance, or biomass represented by omnivores significantly increased (except for biomass and in the late stage; ranged from 0.065 to 0.230 and 0.033 to 0.368, respectively in wet season, and 0.000 to 0.192 and 0.000 to 0.396, respectively in dry season), while the proportions significantly decreased for detritivores during the dry season (ranged from 0.156 to 0.056, 0.107 to 0.019, and 0.066 to 0.005, respectively). Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling and PERMANOVA also indicated that the structure of macrobenthic faunal functional feeding groups was significantly affected by mangrove succession. Further analyses indicated that the changes in the relative dominance among macrobenthic faunal functional feeding groups during mangrove succession were mainly associated with changes in plant density, coverage/canopy density, and total nitrogen content of sediment, i.e., they were mostly associated with changes in food sources. The results increase our understanding of the relationship between benthic functional diversity and mangrove succession and could help guide mangrove restoration in China and around the world.     

深圳福田红树林区底栖大型动物群落的空间分带及灌污的可能影响

本文自１９９１年４月至１９９３年１月对深圳福田红树林中底栖大型动物的空间分带及灌污的可能影响进行了研究。结果表明,该红树林湿地中主要出现的底栖动物为拟沼螺科,黑螺科,汇螺科,沙蟹科,方蟹科和弹涂鱼科种类。红树区内底栖动物从高潮位到低潮位可分为３个群落分布带：亮泽拟沼螺带;拟黑螺－褶痕相手蟹带;弧边招潮－印尼拟蟹守螺－刻纹拟沼螺带。群落的分带可能主要由潮位线,食物适应性及底质结构因素决定。林前泥滩底栖动物种类多样性最大,生物量最高。林内动物群落则表现出低种类多样性,高种群个体数的特点。群落总栖息密度的变化基本上由软体动物所主导。生活污水排灌对红树林中底栖大型动物的影响不明显,仅在排污口端引起少数污水动物种类的出现及群落总生物量轻微的升高。     

Niches of plant populations in mangrove reserve of Qi’ao Island, Pearl River Estuary

Thirty-two 10 × 10 m² quadrats were set up in four mangrove communities for the study of the niches of nine plants with horizontal and vertical resource sequences in Dawei Bay, Qi’ao Island, Zhuhai City. Generally, species diversities of natural mangroves were higher than those of plantations. The diversities decreased along sequence of substrate layer, shrub layer and tree layer in natural mangroves; and were highest on the shrub layer in plantations. At the horizontal resource sequence, the niche breadth varied 0.132–0.896 (B_(sw)) and 0.120–0.693 (B_(L)). The niche breadth of Acanthus ilicifolius and Aegiceras corniculatum were the highest and that of Spartina alterniflora was the lowest. At the vertical resource sequence, the niche breadth varied 0–0.400 (B_(sw)) and 0.333–0.747 (B_(L)). All the niche breadth values were the lowest except those of A. ilicifolius and A. corniculatum. The niche similarity of the populations varied 0–0.746 and 0–1.000 at the horizontal and vertical resource sequences, respectively. A. ilicifolius and A. corniculatum had niche overlap with all plants at the horizontal resource sequence, while the introduced Sonneratia caseolaris and Sonneratiaapetala had no such overlapping between six and five plants in the community, respectively. At the vertical resource sequence, A. ilicifolius and A. corniculatum had niche overlapping with all the populations. The more niche overlapping existed among the other populations. The results indicated that, currently, the mangrove plantation in Qi’ao Island had a simplex structure and composition of species. The status of plant populations’ niche was determined by the species selected and structure of afforestation. It is suggested to create forest gaps artificially and introduce Kandelia obovata saplings to reverse its current status of lower niche breadth, facilitate natural regeneration and spreading of A. corniculatum and A. ilicifolius, and accelerate the restoration process of natural mangrove. Simultaneously, the species matching and planting methods of mix stands should be emphasized in the future.     

Competitive Control of an Exotic Mangrove Species: Restoration of Native Mangrove Forests by Altering Light Availability

Recently, many studies have focused on the possibility of restoring mangrove ecosystems by introducing fast‐growing mangroves. However, methods for managing an exotic fast‐growing species to restore mangrove ecosystems and at the same time preventing invasion by introduced species remains unclear. Sonneratia apetala Buch‐Ham is one example of an exotic mangrove with both high ecological value and potential risk for invasion after introduction. To investigate the possibility of reducing the potential for invasion by altering light availability, we simulated different irradiances of S. apetala understory in the greenhouse. For each irradiance treatment, three levels of competition between S. apetala and native mangroves Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) were used: no competition, intraspecific competition and interspecific competition. Compared with A. corniculatum, S. apetala showed a significantly higher growth rate for both height and biomass accumulation under full irradiation. Compared to the full irradiation treatment, the shading treatment significantly reduced the height, total biomass and biomass allocation to leaves of S. apetala by 61.31, 71.0, and 76.2%, respectively, whereas the growth of A. corniculatum was not affected. The results suggested that lowering light availability could inhibit the growth of S. apetala and increase the competitiveness of A. corniculatum. Planting introduced fast‐growing mangroves at a density of approximately 2,000 plants/hm² is an effective strategy for preventing potential invasion and restoring wetland habitats. By taking advantage of the differences in shade tolerance between fast‐growing exotic mangroves and native mangroves, introduction of fast‐growing mangroves in coastal areas could have huge potential for reforesting mangrove ecosystems.     

Effect of an integrated mangrove-aquaculture system on aquacultural health

Mangroves are unique intertidal halophyte formations growing in sheltered tropical and subtropical coastal areas. Due to the increasing population and economic development, mangroves have faced degradation and loss, which has been mainly caused by land conversion into aquaculture ponds in Asia. In the past several decades, the rapid growth of aquaculture has induced water pollution. Using mangroves for effluent treatment from coastal aquaculture ponds could be a suitable approach for wastewater treatment and healthy aquaculture development. An Integrated Mangrove-Aquaculture System (IMAS) was established to test whether the idea of a mangrove in situ treatment for aquaculture wastewater is feasible. The monocultures of three mangroves, Sonneratia caseolaris, Kandelia obovata, and Aegiceras corniculatum were established with area proportions of 45%, 30%, or 15%, respectively. One control pond without mangroves was also set up. The results indicated that the mangroves had different tolerabilities to long-term inundation. The aquaculture ponds had different fishery yields, considering the mangrove species and area proportions. The water quality of most of the experimental ponds was better than the control pond, except for the planted Sonneratia. It is concluded that mangroves can reduce the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate, buffer the pH value and increase the concertration of dissolved oxygen in aquaculture water bodies effectively. It is suggested to use 15% of the Aegiceras corniculatum area to conduct in situ purification of aquaculture wastewater and to enhance aquaculture production.     

红树林植被对大型底栖动物群落的影响

大型底栖动物是红树林生态系统的重要组成部分,从红树林大型底栖动物种类、红树林与其周边生境大型底栖动物群落的比较,以及生境变化对动物群落的影响等方面阐述了红树林植被与大型底栖动物群落的关系.从物种数量上看,软体动物和甲壳类动物构成了红树林大型底栖动物的主要部分.影响大型底栖动物分布的环境因素包括海水盐度、潮位和土壤特性等,但在小范围区域,林内动物的分布更多地与红树林植被特性和潮位有关.因此,由于红树林植被破坏或者恢复引起的生境变化,将导致大型底栖动物群落和常见物种种群的变化,尤其对底上动物影响明显;随着人工恢复红树林的发育,林内底栖动物的多样性相应增加,优势种也发生变化.相比位于相同潮位的无植被滩涂,红树林可促进潮间带生物多样性.     

Colonization and shift of mollusc assemblages as a restoration indicator in planted mangroves in the Philippines

We compared the mollusc assemblages of planted mono-specific Rhizophora mangroves of known different ages. As forest age increased, there was a shift in species composition, abundance and biomass of mollusc assemblages for all faunal types (infauna, epifauna and arboreal fauna). This shift was correlated with the changes in vegetation (increasing forest cover and above-ground biomass) and sediment characteristics (increasing organic matter and decreasing sand content). Some species dominate in young plantations (<10 years old; Pirenella cingulata) and in intermediate plantations (10–15 years old; Nerita polita), while other species only occur in mature plantations and natural mangrove stands (>15 years; Terebralia sulcata, Nerita planospira). The two former groups of species are mostly species of infaunal and epifaunal habitats, while the latter group is mainly composed of arboreal species. The shift in mollusc species composition and dominance may serve as a useful indicator of restoration patterns in planted mangroves.     

Restoration of Shorebird‐Roosting Mudflats by Partial Removal of Estuarine Mangroves in Northern Taiwan

Expansion of the monospecific mangrove, Kandelia obovata, has converted intertidal mudflats and other habitats into mangrove forests, thus reducing estuarine biodiversity in the Danshuei River estuary, northern Taiwan. Dense mangrove vegetation was removed to create a small patchwork of mudflats and a tidal creek in February 2007. Subsequent changes in sediment properties and biodiversity of the macrobenthos and avian communities were examined. The results showed that the creation of different habitats led to changes in sediment properties and biodiversity. The water content and sorting degree of the sediments differed significantly among the restored mudflat, the tidal creek, and the mangrove control site. Silt/clay, organic carbon content, and chlorophyll a concentrations varied seasonally, but not among sites. The abundance of polychaetes in the creek was greater than that in the mudflat or the mangrove (12.5 vs. 5.3 and 2.2 individuals/m², respectively), suggesting preferential colonization of infaunal polychaetes in habitats with prolonged submersion. Crabs showed seasonal changes in density, with higher densities in summer than in autumn and winter. The species richness of wintering shorebirds on the created mudflat increased dramatically from 2002 to 2007. The transformation of a vegetated area into an open mudflat appeared to benefit shorebirds by providing roosting habitat. Our study demonstrated that controlling the spread of estuarine mangrove forests could increase biodiversity, and could particularly benefit the migratory shorebird community.     

Spatial variations in macrobenthic fauna recolonisation in a tropical mangrove bay

Recolonisation by crab species and sediment-infauna taxa (at class level) in artificially regenerated mangrove stands of Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba (5 yr old) were studied using respective bare sites (open without mangroves or denuded) and natural sites (relatively undisturbed) as controls. The controls were chosen based on site history, physical proximity and tidal inundation class in reference to the particular reforested mangrove stand and samples randomly taken. A number of environmental variables were measured; interstitial water salinity and temperature (measured at low tide) were lower, whereas sediment organic matter content was higher in the areas with mangrove cover, with the natural sites having the highest content. The bare sites were generally sandier, whereas the areas with mangrove cover had higher proportions of clay and silt. Generally, there was a higher crab density in the reforested sites than in the bare sites, whereas crab species diversity (Shannon diversity index) did not vary from one site to another for any of the mangrove species. In terms of crab species composition, the reforested sites were more similar (Sørensen similarity coefficient) to the natural sites and less to the bare controls. For sediment-infauna, the reforested sites had a significantly higher density than the respective bare controls, while the natural sites had the highest density. The number of sediment-infauna taxa in both the reforested and natural sites of all the mangrove species was similar and higher than in the comparable bare sites. The results suggest that the reforested sites are supporting more faunal recolonisation, and therefore becoming more akin to the natural mangrove sites in terms of the investigated functional indicators. The findings seem to support the use of artificial mangrove regeneration (in areas where natural regeneration has been impeded by physical conditions or otherwise) as an effective management tool in the restoration and conservation of the functional integrity of degraded mangrove habitats.Key words: Crabs, Environmental variables, Kenya, Recolonisation, Restored mangroves, Sediment-infauna     

深圳湾不同生境湿地大型底栖动物次级生产力的比较研究

以深圳湾红树林为例,于2010年1—12月每月1次对红树林和3种对照生境(芦苇鱼塘,基围鱼塘和光滩)的大型底栖动物进行了采样调查,并对其次级生产力、P/B值(次级生产力与生物量的比值)、优势种和生物多样性进行了计算与分析。结果表明,不同生境大型底栖动物群落次级生产力和P/B值差异明显,芦苇鱼塘、基围鱼塘、光滩和红树林生境的次级生产力分别为:6.81、147.50、74.70和105.78 g.m-.2a-1;P/B值分别为:1.10、1.53、1.41和3.58 a-1。红树林生境的次级生产力较高,仅次于基围鱼塘,P/B值显著高于其他3种生境,周转速率最快。结合大型底栖动物优势种和生物多样性的季节变化分析表明,红树林生境大型底栖动物生物多样性最丰富,生态系统抵抗力和恢复力最高,生态系统最稳定。由此说明城市化地区红树林生境对大型底栖动物周转速率和物种多样性有明显促进作用,可以增加生态系统营养的保持力和生态系统的稳定性,对于缓解城市化对湿地生态系统造成的威胁具有重要作用。     

西门岛人工秋茄林恢复对大型底栖生物的影响

选择乐清湾西门岛海域相同高程断面不同造林时间的人工红树林(秋茄林)、光滩和互花米草丛,采用空间代替时间的方法,分析我国分布最北界人工红树林造林过程对大型底栖生物的影响.大型底栖动物生活型分布基本表现为幼林(1、4、8a秋茄林)以底上附着型为主,而在光滩、50a秋茄林和互花米草中底下生活类群相对增加.并且穴居型动物只出现在发育成熟的生态系统内.各项指标显示50a老林群落生态稳定性较好,光滩和互花米草丛次之,但优于发育中的秋茄幼林.与以往研究结果不同,50a老林的大型底栖动物生物种类的丰度及群落的物种多样性最高,并不与红树林的发育状况呈负相关,也不比邻近光滩低.结合50a林下滩涂底泥情况,西门岛50a红树林林下滩涂的底质发育要落后于国内天然红树林土壤.这可能与当地红树林造林规模小以及强潮差海域有关.此外,红树林恢复过程中,大型底栖动物生物多样性与生态稳定性之间的线性关系,其适用的系统面积和演替时间的尺度范围有必要做更加深入的探讨.     

Using expert knowledge and modeling to define mangrove composition,functioning, and threats and estimate time frame for recovery

Mangroves are threatened worldwide, and their loss or degradation could impact functioning of the ecosystem. Our aim was to investigate three aspects of mangroves at a global scale: (1) their constituents (2) their indispensable ecological functions, and (3) the maintenance of their constituents and functions in degraded mangroves. We focused on answering two questions: “What is a mangrove ecosystem” and “How vulnerable are mangrove ecosystems to different impacts”? We invited 106 mangrove experts globally to participate in a survey based on the Delphi technique and provide inputs on the three aspects. The outputs from the Delphi technique for the third aspect, i.e. maintenance of constituents and functions were incorporated in a modeling approach to simulate the time frame for recovery. Presented here for the first time are the consensus definition of the mangrove ecosystem and the list of mangrove plant species. In this study, experts considered even monospecific (tree) stands to be a mangrove ecosystem as long as there was adequate tidal exchange, propagule dispersal, and faunal interactions. We provide a ranking of the important ecological functions, faunal groups, and impacts on mangroves. Degradation due to development was identified as having the largest impact on mangroves globally in terms of spatial scale, intensity, and time needed for restoration. The results indicate that mangroves are ecologically unique even though they may be species poor (from the vegetation perspective). The consensus list of mangrove species and the ranking of the mangrove ecological functions could be a useful tool for restoration and management of mangroves. While there is ample literature on the destruction of mangroves due to aquaculture in the past decade, this study clearly shows that more attention must go to avoiding and mitigating mangrove loss due to coastal development (such as building of roads, ports, or harbors).     

Analysing ethnobotanical and fishery-related importance of mangroves of the East-Godavari Delta (Andhra Pradesh, India) for conservation and management purposes

Mangrove forests, though essentially common and wide-spread, are highly threatened. Local societies along with their knowledge about the mangrove also are endangered, while they are still underrepresented as scientific research topics. With the present study we document local utilization patterns, and perception of ecosystem change. We illustrate how information generated by ethnobiological research can be used to strengthen the management of the ecosystem. This study was conducted in the Godavari mangrove forest located in the East-Godavari District of the state Andhra Pradesh in India, where mangroves have been degrading due to over-exploitation, extensive development of aquaculture, and pollution from rural and urbanized areas (Kakinada). One hundred interviews were carried out among the fisherfolk population present in two mangrove zones in the study area, a wildlife sanctuary with strong conservation status and an adjacent zone. Results from the interviews indicated that Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh., a dominant species in the Godavari mangroves, is used most frequently as firewood and for construction. Multiple products of the mangrove included the bark of Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou to dye the fishing nets and improve their durability, the bark of Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco to poison and catch fish, and the leaves of Avicennia spp. and Excoecaria agallocha L. as fodder for cattle. No medicinal uses of true mangrove species were reported, but there were a few traditional uses for mangrove associates. Utilization patterns varied in the two zones that we investigated, most likely due to differences in their ecology and legal status. The findings are discussed in relation with the demographic and socio-economic traits of the fisherfolk communities of the Godavari mangroves and indicate a clear dependency of their livelihood on the mangrove forest. Reported changes in the Godavari mangrove cover also differed in the two zones, with significantly less perceptions of a decrease in the protected area, as compared to the adjacent non-protected area. A posteriori comparisons between sequential satellite imagery (retrospective till 1977) and respondents that were at least 15 years back then, revealed a mangrove decrease which was however perceived to different extents depending on the area with which the fishermen were familiar. While local needs had not been incorporated in the existing policy, we created a framework on how data on ethnobotanical traditions, fishery-related activities and local people's perceptions of change can be incorporated into management strategies.     

Lack of correlation between surface macrofauna,meiofauna, erosion threshold and biogeochemical properties of sediments within an intertidal mudflat and mangrove forest

This article describes the relationship between 10 selected properties of the sediments (chlorophyll a and b, colloidal and total carbohydrate, water concentration, sediment type, organic matter, erosion threshold and erosion rate) and meio- and macrofauna within and among three different habitats in an urbanized intertidal mudflat/mangrove forest in Tambourine Bay, Sydney Harbour, Australia. Many of the biogeochemical variables were significantly different among habitats, often grading from mudflat to mangrove canopy. In contrast to previous studies, patterns of distribution of macrofauna among habitats were weak. For the meiofauna, only copepods showed any significant difference among habitats, with the greatest numbers in the open mudflat habitat and least under the mangrove canopy. There was a gradient in fauna among the habitats; overall macrofauna abundances were greatest under the mangrove canopy and least on the mudflat, while meiofauna abundance was greatest in the pneumatophore habitat and least under the canopy. Correlations between fauna and properties of sediment were generally weak. When the habitats were analysed separately, some correlations were strengthened but relationships were inconsistent. Thus, while some taxa vary significantly among habitats there was not a strong relationship between biogeochemical properties and either macro- or meiofauna. This suggests that localised factors other than the measured properties of the sediments are driving patterns in fauna at these small scales, which requires further investigation to be unravelled.     

Herbivore feeding preferences as measured by leaf damage and stomatal ingestion: a mangrove crab example

The diet of the mangrove crab, Aratus pisonii, was assessed by determining the percent of damaged leaves at selected mangrove communities and by examining herbivore gut contents. This study compared the utility of both methods and tested if comparable levels of damage and dietary preference occurred using the methods. Percent of damaged leaves was determined for the three species of mangroves within Tampa Bay, FL, USA, including: the red, black, and white mangroves (Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa, respectively) in four 5×10-m quadrats during summer 2001. For each species, in each of the quadrats, 200 leaves per tree were assessed for the presence or absence of crab damage. A. pisonii were sampled from the same quadrats from which leaf damage data were collected. Stomach contents were dissected and food items were classified into a number of categories.Species damaged and preferred were determined by comparing relative numbers of mangrove leaf stomata from the three mangrove species in gut contents. Results suggested that both methods provide similar estimates of preference. R. mangle leaves were preferred over those of A. germinans and L. racemosa. The percent of R. mangle leaves with damage was about 20-30 times greater than the other species, and R. mangle leaf stomata were 3 to 20 times more abundant in crab guts compared to leaf stomata of the other species. Gut contents indicated that A. pisonii is omnivorous, that average-sized adult crabs (1.4-1.7-cm width) prefer R. mangle, and that the diet of males is more varied than of females. While use of both percent leaf damage and crab gut contents reliably indicates preference, gut contents may describe better the actual diet and elucidate trends for different size or sex classes within a population.     

Distribution,Fraction, and Ecological Assessment of Heavy Metals in Sediment-Plant System in Mangrove Forest,South China Sea

Overlying water, sediment, rhizosphere sediment and mangrove seedlings in the Futian mangrove forest were analyzed for heavy metals. The results showed that mangrove plant acidified sediment and increased organic matter contents. Except for chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) in Aegiceras corniculatum sediment, heavy metals in all sediments were higher than in overlying water, rhizosphere sediment and mangrove root. Heavy metals in Avicennia marina sediments were higher than other sediments. The lower heavy metal biological concentration factors (BCFs) and translocation factors (TFs) indicated that mangrove plant adopted exclusion strategy. The geo-accumulation index, potential ecological risk index and risk assessment code (RAC) demonstrated that heavy metals have posed a considerable ecological risk, especially for cadmium (Cd). Heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu and Cd) mainly existed in the reducible fractions. These findings provide actual heavy metal accumulations in sediment-plant ecosystems in mangrove forest, being important in designing the long-term management and conservation policies for managers of mangrove forest.     

Diversity of ndo Genes in Mangrove Sediments Exposed to Different Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollution

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutants originating from oil spills and wood and fuel combustion are pollutants which are among the major threats to mangrove ecosystems. In this study, the composition and relative abundance in the sediment bacterial communities of naphthalene dioxygenase (ndo) genes which are important for bacterial adaptation to environmental PAH contamination were investigated. Three urban mangrove sites which had characteristic compositions and levels of PAH compounds in the sediments were selected. The diversity and relative abundance of ndo genes in total community DNA were assessed by a newly developed ndo denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) approach and by PCR amplification with primers targeting ndo genes with subsequent Southern blot hybridization analyses. Bacterial populations inhabiting sediments of urban mangroves under the impact of different sources of PAH contamination harbor distinct ndo genotypes. Sequencing of cloned ndo amplicons comigrating with dominant DGGE bands revealed new ndo genotypes. PCR-Southern blot analysis and ndo DGGE showed that the frequently studied nah and phn genotypes were not detected as dominant ndo types in the mangrove sediments. However, ndo genotypes related to nagAc-like genes were detected, but only in oil-contaminated mangrove sediments. The long-term impact of PAH contamination, together with the specific environmental conditions at each site, may have affected the abundance and diversity of ndo genes in sediments of urban mangroves.     

Abundance and Genetic Diversity of nifH Gene Sequences in Anthropogenically Affected Brazilian Mangrove Sediments

Although mangroves represent ecosystems of global importance, the genetic diversity and abundance of functional genes that are key to their functioning scarcely have been explored. Here, we present a survey based on the nifH gene across transects of sediments of two mangrove systems located along the coast line of São Paulo state (Brazil) which differed by degree of disturbance, i.e., an oil-spill-affected and an unaffected mangrove. The diazotrophic communities were assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and clone libraries. The nifH gene abundance was similar across the two mangrove sediment systems, as evidenced by qPCR. However, the nifH-based PCR-DGGE profiles revealed clear differences between the mangroves. Moreover, shifts in the nifH gene diversities were noted along the land-sea transect within the previously oiled mangrove. The nifH gene diversity depicted the presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria affiliated with a wide range of taxa, encompassing members of the Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, and also a group of anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria. We also detected a unique mangrove-specific cluster of sequences denoted Mgv-nifH. Our results indicate that nitrogen-fixing bacterial guilds can be partially endemic to mangroves, and these communities are modulated by oil contamination, which has important implications for conservation strategies.     

Habitat Use by Fishes in Coral Reefs,Seagrass Beds and Mangrove Habitats in the Philippines

Understanding the interconnectivity of organisms among different habitats is a key requirement for generating effective management plans in coastal ecosystems, particularly when determining component habitat structures in marine protected areas. To elucidate the patterns of habitat use by fishes among coral, seagrass, and mangrove habitats, and between natural and transplanted mangroves, visual censuses were conducted semiannually at two sites in the Philippines during September and March 2010–2012. In total, 265 species and 15,930 individuals were recorded. Species richness and abundance of fishes were significantly higher in coral reefs (234 species, 12,306 individuals) than in seagrass (38 species, 1,198 individuals) and mangrove (47 species, 2,426 individuals) habitats. Similarity tests revealed a highly significant difference among the three habitats. Fishes exhibited two different strategies for habitat use, inhabiting either a single (85.6% of recorded species) or several habitats (14.4%). Some fish that utilized multiple habitats, such as Lutjanus monostigma and Parupeneus barberinus, showed possible ontogenetic habitat shifts from mangroves and/or seagrass habitats to coral reefs. Moreover, over 20% of commercial fish species used multiple habitats, highlighting the importance of including different habitat types within marine protected areas to achieve efficient and effective resource management. Neither species richness nor abundance of fishes significantly differed between natural and transplanted mangroves. In addition, 14 fish species were recorded in a 20-year-old transplanted mangrove area, and over 90% of these species used multiple habitats, further demonstrating the key role of transplanted mangroves as a reef fish habitat in this region.