Composition and activity of beta-Proteobacteria ammonia-oxidizing communities associated with intertidal rocky biofilms and sediments of the Douro River estuary, Portugal

AIMS: To characterize the phylogenetic composition of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) of the beta-subclass of the class Proteobacteria in intertidal sediment and rocky biofilms of the Douro estuary, and evaluate relationships with environmental variables and N-biogeochemistry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cluster analysis of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles showed differences in beta-Proteobacteria AOB assemblage composition between rocky biofilms and sediments. All sequences obtained from intertidal rocky biofilm sites exhibited phylogenetic affinity to Nitrosomonas sp. lineages, whereas a majority of the sequences from the sediment sites were most similar to marine Nitrosospira cluster 1. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on environmental variables identified two main groups of samples. The first contained samples from rocky biofilm sites characterized by high concentrations of NO2- and NH4+, and high organic matter and chlorophyll a content. The second group contained all of the sediment samples; these sites were characterized by lower values for the variables above. In addition, rocky biofilm sites exhibited higher nitrification rates. CONCLUSIONS: Intersite differences in environmental and/or physical conditions led to the selection of different populations of beta-Proteobacteria AOB, supporting different magnitudes of N-cycling regimes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study represents an important step in establishing the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of beta-Proteobacteria AOB with possible consequences for N-biogeochemistry.     

污水短程硝化体系氨氧化菌与亚硝酸盐氧化菌的生态学研究进展

短程硝化(partial nitrification, PN)是一种绿色低碳的生物脱氮创新技术,伴随厌氧氨氧化(anaerobic ammonia oxidation, Anammox)污水脱氮技术的进一步推广,短程硝化作为提供其电子受体的重要环节,已成为了污水脱氮领域的研究热点。氨氧化菌(ammonia-oxidizing bacteria,AOB)和亚硝酸盐氧化菌(nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, NOB)是该技术的核心竞争微生物,掌握这两类微生物的生态学特征,借助生态学理论和手段调控AOB淘汰NOB,提高种群的可预测性,对于实现稳定高效的短程硝化具有重要意义。本文基于生态学角度介绍了AOB和NOB基础分类、生理性能及生态位分离,重点综述了短程硝化系统中AOB和NOB的生长动力学、群落构建、环境因素和相互作用,最后对这两类微生物的未来研究重点和研究方法进行了展望,为短程硝化工艺的快速启动和稳定运行提供理论指导。     

攀枝花不同海拔高度烤烟农田红壤中氨氧化细菌与氨氧化古菌的群落结构分析

为探究攀枝花干热河谷区农田土壤氨氧化古菌（Ammonia oxidizing archaea,AOA）与氨氧化细菌（Ammonia oxidizing bacteria,AOB）群落对海拔高度的响应特征,深入认识该区域的氮素循环过程。以攀枝花米易县不同海拔（1600 m、1800 m和2000 m）农田红壤为研究对象,运用化学分析和末端限制性片段长度多态性（Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism,T-RFLP）分别测定土壤理化性质、AOA和AOB群落组成及多样性,研究不同海拔农田土壤中AOA和AOB群落变异及其驱动因子。研究结果显示,不同海拔农田土壤pH均小于7,土壤有机碳（SOC）、全氮（TN）、速效钾（AK）和铵态氮（NH₄⁺-N）含量随海拔升高而降低,碱解氮（AN）、有效磷（AP）和硝态氮（NO₃^--N）含量随海拔升高先增加后降低;随海拔升高,AOA群落多样性指数增加,而AOB群落多样性指数先增加后降低;AOA以亚硝基球菌属（Nitrososphaera）为优势菌群,AOB以亚硝化螺菌属（Nitrosospira）为优势菌群;土壤有机碳（SOC）、速效钾（AK）和硝态氮（NO₃^--N）是影响该区域农田土壤AOA和AOB群落发育的主要因子。总体而言,攀枝花干热河谷区不同海拔农田土壤AOA和AOB群落结构变化明显,土壤硝态氮、速效钾和有机碳是影响AOA和AOB群落结构变异的主要因子;研究结果可为揭示干热河谷区农田红壤氮循环相关微生物的海拔分布格局提供理论依据。     

Landward changes of soil enzyme activities in a tidal flat wetland of the Yangtze River Estuary and correlations with physico-chemical factors

The landward changes of soil enzyme activities and physico-chemical properties of the surface sediment in Chongming Dongtan of the Yangtze River Estuary, were studied. Along the elevation gradient or succession series, the contents of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and organic matter (OM) in the sediment increased, but the average grain size (AGS) of the sediment and the content of the dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) decreased. The activity of alkaline phosphatase increased gradually along the elevation gradient, and was positively correlated with the values of TP, TN and OM (P<0.05), but negatively to AGS and DIP (P<0.05). It was correlated with a mechanism of substrate inductivity and product inhibition. Catalase activity had the similar trend of gradual increase along the elevation gradient, enhancing the fertility of the soil and the oxidative process of OM in the sediment. Along the succession series, from the tidal flat to the bulrush (Scirpus mariqueter) zone, and then to the reed (Phragmites australis) zone, the activity of sucrase only changed insignificantly, but there was a higher activity in the bulrush zone than in other zones. The activity of proteinase decreased from the tidal flat to the reed zone, and the activity was negatively correlated with OM and TN (P<0.05), but positively with DIP (P<0.05). Through the succession zones a decrease in the number of diatoms resulted in a decline in the concentration of protein, which influenced the proteinase activity, suggesting that the proteinase in the sediment was produced by diatoms.     

Landward changes of soil enzyme activities in a tidal flat wetland of the Yangtze River Estuary and correlations with physico-chemical factors

The landward changes of soil enzyme activities and physico-chemical properties of the surface sediment in Chongming Dongtan of the Yangtze River Estuary, were studied. Along the elevation gradient or succession series, the contents of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and organic matter (OM) in the sediment increased, but the average grain size (AGS) of the sediment and the content of the dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) decreased. The activity of alkaline phosphatase increased gradually along the elevation gradient, and was positively correlated with the values of TP, TN and OM (P<0.05), but negatively to AGS and DIP (P<0.05). It was correlated with a mechanism of substrate inductivity and product inhibition. Catalase activity had the similar trend of gradual increase along the elevation gradient, enhancing the fertility of the soil and the oxidative process of OM in the sediment. Along the succession series, from the tidal flat to the bulrush (Scirpus mariqueter) zone, and then to the reed (Phragmites australis) zone, the activity of sucrase only changed insignificantly, but there was a higher activity in the bulrush zone than in other zones. The activity of proteinase decreased from the tidal flat to the reed zone, and the activity was negatively correlated with OM and TN (P<0.05), but positively with DIP (P<0.05). Through the succession zones a decrease in the number of diatoms resulted in a decline in the concentration of protein, which influenced the proteinase activity, suggesting that the proteinase in the sediment was produced by diatoms.     

浙江省某PCBs废物储存点对其邻近滩涂生态系统的毒性风险

在浙江省沿海某化工厂内含PCBs废物储存点邻近滩涂上设6个采样点,用GC-MS方法检测各采样点水样、滩涂泥样及大弹涂鱼样品中毒性最强的12种二噁英类PCB(DL-PCB)异构体的含量。结果表明,所有样品DL-PCBs检出率、样品单邻位异构体PCB118和非邻位异构体PCB81检出率均为100％,且PCB118和81的含量均与总DL-PCBs量有较好的相关性,在水样、泥样和鱼样品中,PCB118与总DL-PCBs含量的相关系数(r)分别为0.97、0.95和0.91,PCB81与总DL-PCBs含量的相关系数(r)分别为0.93、0.99和0.98。环境样品中以低氯异构体(PCB81和77)为主,而生物样品中高氯异构体(PCB118和105)含量较高。采样区域内大弹涂鱼从水体和泥土中的平均富集系数分别为392.54和14.03,且鱼体PCBs含量与沉积物中DL-PCBs浓度高度相关(r＝0.97)。在距堆场水沟入海口150 m内水体和沉积物中DL-PCBs含量已处于较高污染水平(分别大于599.34 ng/L和10.97 ng/g),且采样区域内大弹涂鱼PCBs含量(均大于59.19 ng/g脂重)显著高于其它地区。毒性当量研究表明,非邻位的PCB126和PCB169是样品总TEQs的主要贡献者,且所有水样和鱼样的TEQs都分别显著超过日本水环境限值1 pg TEQ/L和欧盟水产品标准值8 pg TEQ/g湿重(P<0.001);应用MacDonald沉积物毒性评价方法研究表明,1-4＃泥样已具有较高毒性风险。综合DL-PCBs含量和毒性当量分析表明,清挖4a后,该PCBs废物堆场仍对周边滩涂生态系统具有一定毒性风险,对人体健康存在潜在危害。     

亚高山/高山森林土壤有机层氨氧化细菌和氨氧化古菌丰度特征

为了解季节性冻融作用对川西亚高山/高山地区土壤氨氧化微生物群落的影响,采用qPCR技术,以氨单加氧酶基因的α亚基(amoA)为标记,在生长阶段、冻结阶段、融化阶段中的9个关键时期调查了该地区不同森林群落：岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)原始林(PF)、岷江冷杉(A. faxoniana)和红桦(Betula albosinensis)混交林(MF)、岷江冷杉次生林(SF)土壤有机层的氨氧化细菌(ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, AOB)和氨氧化古菌(ammonia-oxidizing archaea, AOA)丰度的特征。结果表明,三个森林群落土壤有机层中都具有相当数量的氨氧化细菌和古菌,均表现出从生长阶段至冻结阶段显著降低,在冻结阶段最低,但冻结阶段后显著增加,在融化阶段为全年最高的趋势。土壤氨氧化微生物类群结构(AOA/AOB)受负积温影响明显。冻结后期三个森林群落土壤负积温最大时,AOA数量明显高于AOB,但其他关键时期土壤氨氧化微生物类群结构与群落类型密切相关。高海拔的PF群落土壤有机层表现为AOA>AOB(冻结初期除外),低海拔的SF群落中表现为AOB>AOA(冻结后期除外),而MF群落则仅在融冻期和生长季节末期表现为AOB>AOA。这些结果为认识亚高山/高山森林及其相似区域的生态过程提供了一定的科学依据。     

Community survey of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in full-scale activated sludge processes with different solids retention time

AIMS: To study the effects of different solids retention time (SRT) on the nitrification activity and community composition of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in two full-scale activated sludge processes during a 5-month period. METHODS AND RESULTS: The AOB community composition was analysed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and the identified populations were enumerated by quantitative FISH. Potential nitrification rates were determined in batch tests and the in situ rates were calculated from mass balances of nitrogen in the plants. Increased SRT reduced the nitrification activity, but neither the number per mixed liquor suspended solids nor community composition of AOB were affected. Two dominant AOB populations related to Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosomonas oligotropha were identified by FISH, whereas only the latter could be detected by DGGE. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of a longer SRT on the activity was probably because of physiological changes in the AOB community rather than a change in community composition. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Physiological alterations of a stable AOB community are possible and may stabilize activated sludge processes. The commonly used FISH probes designed to target all beta-proteobacterial AOB does not detect certain Nitrosomonas oligotropha populations, leading to an underestimation of AOB if a wider set of probes is not used.     

灵昆岛围垦滩涂潮沟大型底栖动物群落生态学研究

于2003年秋季在浙江温州灵昆岛进行了不同围垦年份的潮沟大型底栖动物群落的研究,通过以空间替换代替时间替换的方法,研究了不同围垦年份滩涂潮沟大型底栖动物群落的差异,并探讨了差异产生的原因.主要研究结果如下(1)调查共发现大型底栖动物33种,隶属于6门8纲20科.主要是软体动物、节肢动物和环节动物多毛类.在潮沟的不同位置即草滩(GF)、边滩(BaC)和潮沟底(BoC),物种的组成和数量有所不同,草滩发现的大型底栖动物为18种,边滩23种,潮沟底13种.草滩上的种类主要是节肢动物和软体动物,环节动物多毛类种类较少,软体动物的种数多于节肢动物的种数,以底上运动迟缓型的面上生活类群(GS)为主.边滩底栖动物群落主要是由软体动物、节肢动物和环节动物多毛类组成,底内型和穴居型的面下生活类群(GSB)为主.潮沟底发现种类大多为甲壳动物,以底内型和游泳型种类为主.草滩、边滩和潮沟底的种类GS/GSB分别为1.43、0.44和0.44.(2)3条潮沟草滩、边滩和潮沟底的密度GS/GSB平均值分别为3.86、1.14和0.21.(3)3条潮沟同一站位生物量的平均值分别为草滩58.81g/m2,边滩67.07 g/m2,潮沟底14.38 g/m2,按照大小排序为边滩＞草滩＞潮沟底.潮沟3个站位的生物量的平均值分别为1987年潮沟30.15g/m2,1992年潮沟47.65g/m2,1997年潮沟57.56g/m2,按照大小排序为1997年潮沟＞1992年潮沟＞1987年潮沟.(4)不同围垦年份潮沟不同站位大型底栖动物群落的Margalef种类丰度,Shannon-Wiener指数,Pielou的均匀度指数,Simpson优势度指数,各有不同的表现.不考虑围垦年份因素,潮沟的3个站位Margalef指数和Shannon-Wiener指数均为边滩＞潮沟底＞草滩;Pielou均匀度指数潮沟底＞边滩＞草滩;Simpson优势度指数草滩＞边滩＞潮沟底.(5)以不同站位大型底栖动物群落结构物种密度的4次方根为基础所进行的系统聚类分析结果显示,3条潮沟共9个站位的大型底栖动物群落可以分为3组,即潮沟底、边滩、草滩,以聚类时得到的距离矩阵为基础的2维的非度量多维标度排序结果更为直观的显示了潮沟站位大型底栖动物群落的距离和相似情况,并支持聚类所得结果.讨论了围垦后潮沟大型底栖动物群落特点以及差异产生的原因.     

长江口潮滩湿地土壤酶活性的陆向变化以及与环境因子的相关性

研究了长江口崇明东滩潮滩湿地表层沉积物的土壤酶活性和环境因子沿高程的陆向变化及其它们之间的相关性。结果表明,在潮滩湿地表层沉积物中的全磷(TP)、全氮(TN)和有机质(OM)的含量,随着高程的增加,其含量呈上升趋势,而沉积物平均粒径(AGS)和溶解无机磷(DIP)含量逐渐降低。崇明东滩表层沉积物中碱性磷酸酶活性沿高程梯度有增加的趋势,与沉积物平均粒径和溶解无机磷含量呈极显著负相关(p<0.01),与有机质、总氮、总磷含量呈显著正相关(p<0.05),反映出碱性磷酸酶活性受底物和产物并存机制的诱导或抑制。过氧化氢酶活性随高程也有逐渐增大的趋势,其活性与有机质、总氮、总磷呈显著正相关与溶解无机磷和沉积物平均粒径呈负相关(p<0.05),充分反映了随着演替的发展,沉积物的肥力逐渐增高的特点,也反映了沿高程梯度沉积物生物氧化作用逐渐增强。转化酶活性从藻类盐渍带到芦苇(Phragmites australis)带变化并不明显,在海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter)带略高。蛋白酶活性从藻类盐渍带到芦苇带有降低的趋势,蛋白酶活性的高低更决定于有机质中蛋白质的含量而与有机质总量无关,说明蛋白酶可能主要由硅藻产生。     

九龙江口沉积物TCBS(Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts Sucrose)菌群的分布

【目的】调查九龙江流域对厦门海域潜在的病原菌"污染",为相关侵染性病害的预防和控制提供有价值的资料。【方法】通过TCBS(Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salts Sucrose)培养基从九龙江河口沉积物中分离到158株细菌,应用16S rRNA基因-RFLP(限制性酶切图谱多样性分析)及16S rRNA基因序列分析等方法对158株细菌进行分子鉴定。【结果】研究结果表明九龙江口沉积物中分布的TCBS菌群分别属于7个属,其中假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)占28%,气单胞菌属(Aeromonas)占24%,假交替单胞菌属(Pseudoalteromonas)占19%,希瓦氏菌属(Shewanella)占13%,芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)占11%,弧菌属(Vibrio)占4%,嗜冷杆菌属(Psychrobacter)占1%。不同站位TCBS菌群的组成及各菌群的相对差异明显,其中上游区域以非嗜盐或耐盐细菌为主,下游区域以嗜盐细菌和耐盐细菌为主,具有典型的河口细菌分布特征。盐度对各TCBS菌群的分布具有重要的影响。弧菌在整个河口区所占的比例不大(6%-19%)且集中在下游区域。【结论】九龙江口存在大量的条件致病菌,其中以气单胞菌属为代表的耐盐菌,对厦门海域存在陆源性污染的风险;绝大多数弧菌属于海洋土著细菌,正常情况下(非流行性弧菌病期间)非来源于九龙江冲淡水的直接污染。     

长江口潮滩生态系统氮微循环过程中大型底栖动物效应实验模拟

依据长江口滨岸潮滩大型底栖动物的自然分布特征,选取了两段典型的研究区域——崇明东部潮滩和浒浦岸段边滩,运用实验模拟和对比分析方法,定量地研究了大型底栖动物谭氏泥蟹和河蚬对潮滩生态系统中氮营养盐的界面扩散及其早期成岩变化的影响。研究表明,谭氏泥蟹主要通过掘穴活动增加沉积物-水-气三相接触界面,促进沉积物中的无机氮(NH 4- N、NO- 2 -N和NO- 3- N)向上覆水体中扩散,并且也加快了沉积物中氮的氨化作用和硝化作用速率,而河蚬则主要通过生理活动机制影响潮滩生态系统内氮素的迁移转化过程。研究结果深刻揭示了大型底栖动物通过生物扰动和生理活动作用机制,促进了长江口潮滩生态系统内氮素的生物地球化学循环过程速率。     

潮滩微地貌元素-"生物结构"与小型底栖动物的空间分布

潮滩微地貌元素所产生的生境异质性对小型底栖动物的空间分布具有重要的影响。在长江口南岸的高潮滩,生物结构如芦苇植株和密集的蟹洞导致了表层地形的变化,芦苇根圈和根增加了表层环境的结构异质性。小型底栖动物的优势类群是线虫和挠足类,小型多毛类、寡毛类、介形类、动吻类等类群是多度很低的组成成分。芦苇根之间的小型底栖动物密度高于芦苇根周的动物密度,尤其是线虫密度的差别更为明显。蟹洞的影响是明显的,蟹洞周围的动物密度高于蟹洞之间的动物密度。对4种不同生境的动物分析表明,沉积物上部1．0cm部分的所有样品包含了大多数小型底栖动物,说明在河口淤泥质高潮滩,小型底栖动物的分布具有表聚性。小型底栖动物分布的表聚性和异质性与很多因子有关,如生物结构、食物的可利用性、捕食的季节性、沉积物深处的氧气赋存状况。生物结构明显地影响小型底栖动物的分布,因此,对结构异质性较高的区域进行动物区系的定量研究时,必须考虑到生物结构的影响。     

Distribution of candidate division JS1 and other Bacteria in tidal sediments of the German Wadden Sea using targeted 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE

The bacterial candidate division JS1 dominates a number of 16S rRNA gene libraries from deep subseafloor sediments, yet its distribution in shallow, subsurface sediments has still to be fully documented. Sediment cores (down to 5.5 m) from Wadden Sea tidal flats (Neuharlingersieler Nacken and Gr?ninger Plate) were screened for JS1 16S rRNA genes using targeted PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), which also detects some other important Bacteria. Bacterial subpopulations at both sites were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria in the upper sediment layers (down to 2 m) and in deeper layers by members of the Chloroflexi. The deeper layers of Neuharlingersieler Nacken consisted of grey mud with low sulphate (0.1-10 mM), elevated total organic carbon (TOC) ( approximately 1-2%) and JS1 sequences were abundant. In contrast, the deeper sandy layers of Gr?ninger Plate, despite also having reduced sulphate concentrations, had lower TOC (<0.6%) with few detectable JS1 sequences. Results indicated that JS1 prefers muddy, shallow, subsurface sediments with reduced sulphate, whereas Chloroflexi may out-compete JS1 in shallow, sandy, subsurface sediments. Bacterial population changes at both sites ( approximately 2 m) were confirmed by cluster analysis of DGGE profiles, which correlated with increased recalcitrance of the organic matter. This study extends the biogeographical range of JS1. The presence of JS1 and Chloroflexi in Wadden Sea sediments demonstrates that subsurface tidal flats contain similar prokaryotic populations to those found in the deeper subseafloor biosphere.     

Seasonal seawater temperature as the major determinant for populations of culturable bacteria in the sediments of an intact mangrove in an arid region

Mangroves are highly productive marine ecosystems where bacteria (culturable and non-culturable) actively participate in biomineralization of organic matter and biotransformation of minerals. This study explores spatial and seasonal fluctuations of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. in the sediments of an intact mangrove ecosystem and determines the dominant environmental factors that govern these fluctuations. Sediment samples were collected monthly from three stations in the mangroves of Laguna de Balandra, Baja California Sur, Mexico, through an annual cycle. Physicochemical parameters included seawater temperature, salinity, and concentration of dissolved oxygen. Viable counts of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. were made. In one sample (March 2003), nutrient concentrations (ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, and phosphates), organic matter, pH and sediment texture were also determined. General cluster analyses, analysis of variance of specific variables, and several principal component analyses demonstrated that seawater temperature is the principal determinant of seasonal distribution of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. in mangrove sediments. Soil texture, concentration of nutrients, and organic matter concentration contribute to heterogenicity to a lesser extent. A large spatial variation in bacterial populations was observed over short distances ( approximately 1 m) in sampling areas within the same site. These analyses show that the culturable bacterial distribution in sediments of mangroves has high spatial and temporal heterogeneity.     

灵昆岛东滩潮间带大型底栖动物功能群及营养等级构成

2003年11月至2004年8月,在温州湾的灵昆岛东滩针对大型底栖动物群落进行了取样调查,利用调查数据进行功能群和营养等级构成研究。共得到大型底栖动物33种,隶属7门8纲21科,主要为软体动物、节肢动物甲壳类和环节动物多毛类。其中,高潮带25种,中潮带30种,低潮带14种。Margalef物种丰富度指数和Shannon—Weiner多样性指数均表现为：高潮带〉中潮带〉低潮带;Pielou均匀度指数和Simpson优势度指数表现为：高潮带〈中潮带〈低潮带。定性取样得到的浮游生物食者4种,植食者12种,肉食者8种,杂食者7种,碎屑食者2种,定量取样得到的分别为：3,8,5,3种和2种。定量取样获得数据中各个功能群种类数和密度季节间差异均不显著,不考虑季节变化因素肉食者和植食者密度在潮带间存在差异,杂食者和植食者种类数在潮带间存在差异,其他功能群密度和种类数数据在潮带间的差异不显著。研究显示了功能群的生境梯度变化,高潮带主导的功能群为肉食者,植食者和浮游生物食者;中潮带主导的功能群为肉食者和浮游生物食者;低潮带主导的功能群为肉食者,这些变化反映了不同潮带营养等级构成和食物来源的差异,由于生境中能提供的植物沿着高潮带,中潮带和低潮带方向递减,至低潮带未发现植食者;且由于中潮带的生境最为复杂,其功能群的构成也最为复杂;3个潮带的碎屑食者数量比较稳定。大型底栖动物群落与其食物来源一起共有4个营养等级,其中大型底栖动物占据了第2、3、4级,第1级主要碎屑、浮游生物和植物,第2级包括了碎屑食者、浮游生物食者和植食者,第3级主要是杂食者,第4级是肉食者,各个营养级、食物来源之间构成一张复杂的食物网。     

Trophic functional groups and trophic levels of the macrobenthic community at the eastern tidal flat of Lingkun Island, China

A total of 33 taxa, including 21 families, 8 classes and 7 phyla, were found at the eastern tidal flat of Lingkun Island, Wenzhou Bay. Most of them were mollusks, crustaceans and polychaetes. The species numbers found at 3 tidal flats (high, middle and low) were 25, 30 and 14, respectively. It was shown that the high tidal flat had the highest value of diversity indices, followed by middle and low tidal flats. The species belonged to 5 different trophic functional groups: Phytophagous, Camivorous, Omnivorous, Planktophagous and Detritivorous in qualitative samplings. Then 3, 8, 5, 3 and 2 species belonged to Planktophagous, Phytophagous, Camivorous, Omnivorous and Detritivorous groups, respectively, in quantitative samplings. The density and species number of each functional group did not display seasonal variation by the two-way ANOVA method. Regardless of seasonal variation, density of the Phytophagous group and Camivorous group had distinct difference among different zones of tidal flats, and the species number of the Phytophagous group and Omnivorous group had obvious difference among different zones of tidal flats. Results show that there was variation of functional groups among habitats. Change in components of the macrobenthic community reflected different food sources in different zones of tidal flats.     

The validity of burrow counting in estimating the densities of Chiromantes dehaani and Ilyoplax deschampsi in tidal flat at Yangtze Estuary

It has been confirmed that the crabs play significant roles in the structure and function of coastal wetland ecosystems, such as mangroves and salt marshes. However it is not easy to estimate the abundance and density of burrowing crabs effectively, thus a further understanding of roles of crabs in these ecosystems has been lagged. Some studies have discussed the suitability of several census techniques, such as burrow counting method in estimating crab density in mangroves. The validities of burrow counting method and other census techniques in estimating crab density, however, has not been tested in salt marshes, especially where vegetation are dense. In this study, we tested the validity of burrow counting method in estimating the densities of Chiromantes dehaani and Ilyoplax deschampsi in tidal flat with dense vegetation of Phragmites australis and Zizania aquatica at Yangtze Estuary through comparing densities estimated by the burrow counting method and the excavation. Burrow counting averagely underestimated the density of C. dehaani by 15% and the degree of underestimation varied among vegetations and habitats (from an overestimate by 23% to underestimate by 41%). Burrow counting averagely overestimated the density of I. deschampsi by 43% and the degree of overestimate varied from 0% to 133% depending on the vegetations and habitats. The percentage of occupied burrows and the number of crabs sharing one burrow were important factors influencing the validity of estimating crab density through burrow counting method.