Structure and biodiversity of nematode assemblages in the SW lagoon of New Caledonia

 Meiofaunal density and the taxonomic composition of nematodes were investigated in three bottom types of the SW lagoon of New Caledonia (SW Pacific). Meiofaunal density was significantly higher in white-sand bottoms than in other biotopes (grey-sand and muddy bottoms). Thirty-three nematode families and 172 genera were identified. Species diversity indices were significantly lower in back-reef white-sand than in seagrass grey-sand and coastal mud. The familial, generic and species diversity were analysed in relation to ecological and biotic parameters by multivariate factorial correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering. The analysis at familial level was unable to discriminate between stations and biotopes. The analysis at generic level detected three main nematode associations related to microphytobenthic primary productivity, macrophyte biomass and silt content. Taxonomic composition of one white-sand station (Mbéré reef) differed from all others in relation to an increased chlorophyll/pheophytin ratio and a lower silt content. Grey-sand stations were split in two distinct groups. The first combined two of the three white-sand stations and the grey-sand stations, all of which were characterised by a medium silt content and a medium productivity. The second group combined the muddy bottom stations and the siltiest grey-sand stations which were characterised by a high silt content, a lower macroflora biomass and low productivity. Accepted: 22 October 1996     

Fish Assemblages in Different Shallow Water Habitats of the Venice Lagoon

The small-sized fish assemblages of the Venice Lagoon were investigated and compared among five shallow subtidal habitats (seagrass beds, sparsely vegetated habitats, unvegetated sand bottoms, mudflats and saltmarsh creeks) in the Northern lagoon basin. Sampling was carried out seasonally (Spring, Summer and Autumn of 2002) in 4–7 stations for each habitat type, by means of a fine-mesh, small beach seine. Two-way analysis of variance was applied to assess the differences in species richness, fish diversity, density and standing stock amongst habitats, whereas fish assemblage composition was investigated by using multivariate analyses (MDS, ANOSIM, SIMPER). The analyses indicated that seagrass beds and saltmarsh creeks are relevant shallow habitats in structuring the small-sized fish assemblages of the Venice Lagoon, supporting specialized and recognizable fish assemblages. Those in seagrass beds, in particular, were characterized by higher species richness and standing stock with respect to all the others. The structuring role of these habitats was discussed in terms of both habitat complexity and degree of confinement. In contrast, sandy bottoms, mudflats and sparsely vegetated habitats were identified as “transition” habitats, with highly variable fish assemblages, influenced by the contribution of the adjacent habitats, and acting probably as both ‘buffer zones’ between the other habitats and migration routes for many fish species in the lagoon.     

Habitat-Specific Effects of Fishing Disturbance on Benthic Species Richness in Marine Soft Sediments

Around the globe, marine soft sediments on continental shelves are affected by bottom trawl fisheries. In this study, we explore the effect of this widespread anthropogenic disturbance on the species richness of a benthic ecosystem, along a gradient of bottom trawling intensities. We use data from 80 annually sampled benthic stations in the Dutch part of the North Sea, over a period of 6 years. Trawl disturbance intensity at each sampled location was reconstructed from satellite tracking of fishing vessels. Using a structural equation model, we studied how trawl disturbance intensity relates to benthic species richness, and how the relationship is mediated by total benthic biomass, primary productivity, water depth, and median sediment grain size. Our results show a negative relationship between trawling intensity and species richness. Richness is also negatively related to sediment grain size and primary productivity, and positively related to biomass. Further analysis of our data shows that the negative effects of trawling on richness are limited to relatively species-rich, deep areas with fine sediments. We find no effect of bottom trawling on species richness in shallow areas with coarse bottoms. These condition-dependent effects of trawling suggest that protection of benthic richness might best be achieved by reducing trawling intensity in a strategically chosen fraction of space.     

A System for the Quantitative Sampling of Shallow Water Benthos

An air lift, operated by a diver-boatman team and permitting rapid excision and automatic sieving of uniform portions of mud, sand, and fine to medium shell hash bottoms, is described. The apparatus can be deployed from a very small boat. It is inexpensive to make and to operate and has been used with great success at depths of not more than five meters.     

Invertebrate communities associated with macrophytes in Lake Ladoga: effects of environmental factors

Littoral invertebrate communities (meio- and macrobenthos and zooplankton) were studied in seven types of macrophyte associations commonly encountered in Lake Ladoga: in reed (Phragmites) beds on sand, soft and hard bottoms, in associations with the prevalence of Potamogeton spp., Carex spp., and Equisetum fluviatile, and in diverse vegetation stands with e.g. Polygonum amphibium, Cicuta virosa, Typha latifolia and Eleocharis acicularis. Some of the studied habitats were affected by sewage pollution, others were in comparatively undisturbed areas. Statistically significant differences between invertebrate communities in the different macrophyte associations were found. In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis the following factors were identified as determinants of abundance of aquatic invertebrates in macrophyte associations: shoot density, plant dry weight biomass, periphyton biomass, periphyton chlorophyll a, periphyton primary production, and concentrations of Sr, Mg, Ca, P, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cu. Pollution was shown to have a minor effect on the composition of littoral invertebrate communities. It is not possible to determine one single principle factor responsible for the structure and density of invertebrates in macrophyte communities.     

Demersal fish assemblages associated with hard bottom habitat in the South Atlantic Bight of the U.S.A.

Synopsis Demersal fish communities associated with hard bottom habitats in the South Atlantic Bight were investigated in three depth zones (inner, middle and outer shelf) between 30° and 33°N latitudes. Fishes were sampled with trawls and baited fishing gear, and were observed by remotely operated underwater television. Most demersal hard bottom fishes demonstrated seasonal differences in abundance in each depth zone, especially at the inner and outer shelf stations. Diversity values from trawl catches were higher in winter than summer at inner and outer shelf stations, but lower in winter at middle shelf stations. Species richness was higher in summer than in winter at most stations, but H' diversity patterns were more influenced by community evenness. Diversity values were higher than those reported for similar depths in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Mean biomass of demersal teleosts for all stations combined was slightly greater in winter than in summer. There was no significant difference in biomass between stations in summer, however, middle shelf stations had significantly greater biomass than inner or outer shelf stations in winter. Biomass estimates from the hard bottom areas studied were considerably higher than those reported in the literature for sand bottom areas in the South Atlantic Bight, but less than those reported for tropical reefs. Cluster analysis revealed differences in community composition between day and night trawl tows at all stations, and greater seasonal differences in species composition at inner and outer shelf stations than at middle shelf depths. Underwater television provided useful complementary data to trawl catches, documented the presence of large fishes which avoided the trawl, and provided information on the community composition at high relief stations which could not be trawled.     

Benthic indices and ecological quality of shallow Algeria fine sand community

This study applies six macrozoobenthos-based biotic indices in the shallow coastal waters along the Algerian coast (southern Mediterranean Sea) to establish a reference situation for future use. These shallow fine sand communities were sampled in seven bays along the Algerian coast during the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s. For the first time, some of the benthic indices used nowadays in Europe for the implementation of the WFD and/or in North America for the Clean Water Act were used to analyze the data collected twenty years ago in order to assess the biological quality status of the Algerian shallow fine sand communities and to provide ecological classifications for the fine sand community along the Algerian coast. The faunal composition showed that the fine sand communities belonged to a Well-Calibrated Fine Sand (WCFS) biocenosis characterized by high species richness and high H′ Shannon-Weaver diversity, with moderate abundance levels only. In the bays of Fetzara, Jijel, Bejaia, Bou Ismail and Arzew (though not in bays of Algiers and Oran), H′ is >4.5, which implies highly diversified communities. The results of the six benthic indices (H′, AMBI, M-AMBI, BENTIX, BOPA and ITI) suggest that good and high quality status assessments are prevalent in all seven bays for the benthic shallow sand communities along the Algerian coast. Nevertheless, the effect of pollution was observed at a small number of sites in the Arzew, Oran and Algiers bays. For example, in Algiers Bay, an east-west quality gradient revealed the effect of organic matter input.     

Macrozoobenthic community structure in the Lagoon of Albufeira,western coast of Portugal

A benthic survey of the Lagoon of Albufeira on the western Atlantic coast of Portugal, based on macrofaunal analyses from 50 subtidal sampling stations has provided initial data for a study of the benthic ecology of that system. The 126 species identified revealed that the overall faunal composition is characteristic of both Atlantic and Mediterranean lagoons, with the greatest proportion of the species occurring at low frequencies.A correspondence analysis of the distribution of species among sampling stations identified two areas characterized by different communities. In the vicinity of the lagoon mouth a coarse, clean sand community was delineated from a mixed inner lagoon community associated with mixed sediments, ranging from coarse and medium sand with variable percentages of silt, to mud with up to 90% silt content. In deeper areas this lagoon community was considerably impoverished, a condition attributable to intermittent stagnation of the bottom water.A coenotic model of the Lagoon of Albufeira is proposed and related to the hydrodynamics of the system and to the distribution of the superficial sediments.     

Use of trace fossils in delineating sequence stratigraphic surfaces (Tertiary Venetian Basin, northeastern Italy)

The lowermost third-order sequence of the Venetian Molasse Basin (Upper Chattian-Lower Aquitanian) in the Belluno syncline is composed of a transgressive systems tract, comprising a basal, condensed, glauconitic sand sheet deepening upwards into finer-grained offshore deposits, and a highstand systems tract mainly consisting of prograding, offshore mudstones capped by very fine sandstones representing offshore-transition deposits. An integrated sedimentological, ichnological and micropaleontological approach has allowed the recognition of the internal organization of the sequence, the subdivision into parasequences in absence of an obvious physical expression, and the characterization of significant discontinuity surfaces at both sequence and parasequence scales. The transgressive surface shows a complex geometry of bored and encrusted cavities produced by erosional undercutting and a system of neptunian dykes and sills, with hiatal shell concentrations as infill. Component parasequences in the texturally homogeneous transgressive sand sheet can be identified on the basis of the preservational state of trace fossil assemblages (softground versus firmground conditions) and subtle changes in grain-size and glauconite content. Omission surfaces bounding the parasequences are marked by increased glauconite content, and densely crowded, predominantly vertical or oblique, relatively large, very distinct, thin-walled or unwalled, and uncompacted burrows. The condensed section coincides with highest values in relative abundance of planktic foraminifers and in diversity of benthic foraminifers. Parasequence-bounding flooding surfaces in the muddy offshore portion of the highstand systems tract are recognized as firmground surfaces mantled by thin shell concentrations in a matrix of silty, highly burrowed, glauconitic sand.     

Quantitative analysis of macrobenthic soft-bottom assemblages in South Shetland waters (Antarctica)

Macrobenthic assemblages were investigated at 26 stations located around Livingston Island, Deception Island and the Bransfield Strait at depths ranging from 42 to 671 m. Representatives of 30 major taxa were found. The maximal density was 5,260 specimens·m⁻² at Livingston Island; the mean abundance per station ranged from 160 to 4,380 specimens·m⁻². The total biomass of the macrozoobenthos declined with depth, with mean values of 3,201 g·m⁻² at shallower depths (< 100 m) and 210 g·m⁻² further down (> 100 m). After multivariate analysis (cluster analysis, MDS) based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarities, most stations could be assigned to one of three groups on the basis of distinct biomass differences between sites. The first cluster with a rich Ascidiacea biomass is common on shallower bottoms. The second, with Ophiuroidea as a characteristic group, is common on deeper bottoms. The absence of an ‘indicator’ taxon is characteristic of the remaining cluster of those stations with the lowest biomass values. No significant correlations were detected between macrobenthic biomass and any sediment parameters measured, probably because part of the benthos (i.e. the epifauna) could be better explained by the coupling with a highly productive water column. The role of the epi-infauna sensu Gallardo as the main factor structuring benthic assemblages in the investigated area is discussed. Received: 7 March 1996/Accepted: 26 July 1996     

Characterization of Microbial Mats from a Siliciclastic Tidal Flat (Bahía Blanca Estuary,Argentina)

Biofilms and microbial mats cover the tidal flats of the central zone of the Bahía Blanca estuary (Argentina), creating extensive layers. The objective of this study was to characterize the microphytobenthic communities in these biofilms and mats from sediment cores taken in March, June, September and December 2010. Microorganisms were identified and enumerated by microscopy, and their biomass (chlorophyll a, biovolume) quantified at two different stations in the lower supratidal zone, located ～210 m apart from each other (namely S1 and S2). Additionally, the colloidal carbohydrates produced by these microbial communities were quantified, together with physical parameters such as temperature, granulometry, moisture and organic matter content of the sediment layers that comprise a typical epibenthic mat. On the other hand, changes in biomass and colloidal carbohydrate content were studied through a half-tidal cycle (7 h). There were significant seasonal differences in microphytobenthic biovolume (P < 0.001) with a considerably lower biomass in summer, but no significant differences in microalgal biovolume between stations (P = 0.454). Cyanobacterial biomass (largely composed of the filamentous Microcoleus chthonoplastes) was dominant on all dates at both stations, followed by pennate diatoms. Chlorophyll a and colloidal carbohydrate contents in sediment presented a similar pattern to that of microalgal biovolume; with a 5-fold variation in chlorophyll a for S1 between consecutive sampling events on September and December. There were significant differences between sampling dates in colloidal carbohydrates (P < 0.001) with the lowest values recorded during fall and winter; conversely there were no significant differences between stations (P = 0.324). Silt was the dominant sediment fraction at S1 while sand dominated throughout the uppermost 20 mm at S2. Chlorophyll a contents did not show significant differences throughout a half-tidal cycle, likely the product of vertical migration along the section sampled. Conversely, the content of colloidal carbohydrates varied 5-fold, showing a significant (P < 0.001) and steady increase with time of exposure to air and pointing to the rapid metabolic rates of the community. In conclusion, the microphytobenthic community of the Bahía Blanca estuary presented marked seasonality in its biological parameters and overall physiognomy, also showing elevated metabolic rates when subject to tidal fluctuations.     

Influence du substrat sur la répartition des Crustacés stygobies interstitiels du Haut-Atlas occidental

The interstitial stygobiont distributions of two rivers in the western High Atlas is analyzed in relation with sediment granulometry. Sixteen stations were sampled along the rivers N'Fis and Zat and their tributaries. Granulometry analyses were performed. Three grain size sediment types constitute the subterranean biotopes and reflect the local hydrodynamical conditions. The main rivers stations, which undergo frequent natural or human disturbances, are characterized by a high content of fine sediment; in contrast, tributaries stations show coarse and well-classified sediments due to more stable biotopes and more regular hydrological conditions. The 92 taxa group 28 stygobiontic species with 11 crustaceans species. PCA. based on 16 stations, three faunistic richness indexes and three granulometric factors display a high correlation between coarse grain-size content and the richness of stygobiontic taxa. A high silt content both limits the interstitial taxa and excludes crustaceans that occur only in coarse gravels. The granulometric preferenda in the species of the amphipod genus Metacrangonyx and isopods Microcerberus. Microcharon and Typhlocirolana are shown on Shepard triangular diagrams. Cohabitation of several species of the same genus could be explained by the occupancy of different ecological niches resulting from the grain-size proportion.     

Ecology of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in dry tropical habitats of West Africa: A multivariate analysis

Summary Under specific conditions prevailing in dry tropical areas (high light intensities, dryness, extreme temperature change), studies of the composition and evolution of algal populations, primarily nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria (N₂BGA), were conducted. Large scale sampling permitted interpretation using the statistical methods of principal component analysis and analysis of correspondences on the same data. On 86 stations, '49 biotic and abiotic factors were collected: the absolute and relative composition of algal communities were determined by serial dilution and physical-chemical composition of surface soil was analysed. A principal component analysis with a Bravais-Pearson matrix identified: i) four distinct algal groups in the algal communities; ii) similar algal compositions in distinct areas; iii) positive correlations between N₂BGA and pH, C, N, Ca, P, K, and sand. Factorial analysis allowed comparison between quantitative and qualitative factors (vegetal cover, fertilization, wetness, cultivation) indicating that in regard to nitrogen-fixation potential algal communities exist in three states: selective, active and accumulative. Change from one state to another depends mostly on water control. This paper was presented at the Third International Symposium on Nitrogen Fixation with Non-Legumes, Helsinki, 2–8 September 1984. See Plant and Soil 90, 1986.     

Benthic community response to a passive fishing gear in a coastal lagoon (South Brazil)

The influence of a passive shrimp fishing gear on benthic communities was studied at Laguna Estuarine System (South Brazil), a shallow choked coastal lagoon. The gear is composed by a group of fyke nets (25 mm mesh size) set in contact to the bottom, fixed with stakes forming a cage-like structure (around 30 m²). Samplings were conducted in the two main fishery areas of the estuarine system, Mirim (sand bottoms) and Imaruí (muddy bottoms) lagoon, in May 2005. In each area, 10 fyke net enclosures and 10 nearby sites without nets (control) were sampled. Microphytobenthos biomass (chlorophyll a and phaeopigments), number of taxa/species, density, Hill’s number N ₁ and N ₂, and estimated number of species (ES₁₀₀) were used as community attributes. For the nematodes, values of the maturity index and abundance of Wieser’s feeding type were used as well. The effects of the small-scale passive shrimp fishing gear on the coastal lagoon bottoms were dependent on the benthic component analyzed and the type of sediment. Whereas macrofauna was not affected by the net enclosures, meiofauna and nematodes, particularly from the mud sites were. At the sand site, the fyke net enclosures caused a decrease in the microphytobenthos biomass and changed the relative abundances of non-selective deposit feeding and epigrowth-feeding nematodes. The results indicated that small-scale static nets, such as the studied fyke enclosures, produced low intensity levels of disturbance. However, the enclosed area by nets at Laguna had already reached around 25,000 m². Given the large proportion of the coastal population involved and the area closed by nets, management policies should consider site-specific differences within the same estuarine system.     

Sedimentary context controls the influence of ecosystem engineering by bioturbators on microbial processes in river sediments

By modifying the physical environment, ecosystem engineers can have inordinately large effects on surrounding communities and ecosystem functioning. However, the significance of engineering in ecosystems greatly depends on the physical characteristics of the engineered habitats. Mechanisms underlying such context‐dependent impact of engineers remain poorly understood even though they are crucial to establish general predictions concerning the contribution of engineers to ecosystem structure and function. The present study aimed to decrypt such mechanisms by determining how the environmental context modulates the effects of ecosystem engineers (bioturbators) on microorganisms in river sediments. To test the effects of environmental context on the role of bioturbators in sediments, we used mesocosms and recreated two sedimentary contexts in the laboratory by adding a layer of either fine or coarse sand at the top of a gravel‐sand matrix. For each sediment context, we examined how the sediment reworking activity of a bioturbating tubificid worm (Tubifex tubifex) generated changes in the physical (sediment structure and permeability) and abiotic environments (hydraulic discharge, water chemistry) of microorganisms. Microbial characteristics (abundances, activities) and leaf litter decomposition – a major microbially‐mediated ecological process – were measured to evaluate the impact of bioturbation on biotic compartment. Our results showed that the permeability, the availability of oxygen and the activities of microorganisms were reduced in sediments covered with fine sand, in comparison with sediments covered with coarse sand. Tubifex tubifex significantly increased permeability (by about six‐fold), restored aerobic conditions and ultimately stimulated microbial communities (resulting in a 30% increase in leaf litter breakdown rate) in sediments covered with fine sand. In contrast T. tubifex had low effects in sediments topped by coarse sand, where O₂ was already available for hyporheic microorganisms. Our study supports the idea that context dependency mainly modulates the effects of engineering by controlling the ability of engineers to create changes on abiotic (O₂ in the present study) factors that are limiting for surrounding communities.     

Benthic macroinvertebrate communities of the athabasca river near Ft. Mackay,Alberta

Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled at six stations in the Athabasca River near Ft. Mackay, Alberta, during the 1977 open water season. Fluctuating discharge of the river effected changes in the nature of the sediments as well as the abundance and composition of invertebrate communities. During most of the summer, coarse sand was dominated by chironomids of the Harnischia complex and an undescribed Orthocladiinae. Stoneflies and mayflies invaded the coarse sand in autumn when decreasing discharge led to greater stability of the substrate. The invertebrate fauna of silt and mud resembled that of similar substrates in lakes. Bedrock supported communities similar to those of stony streams. The average abundances of invertebrates on sand and mud were similar but estimates from mud were somewhat more variable. These results are discussed with respect to substrate stability and compared with published records from other large rivers.     

Sediment preferences and size-specific distribution of young-of-the-year Pacific halibut in an Alaska nursery

A combination of laboratory experiments and field surveys was used to test the hypotheses that responses to sediments change with fish size and that sediment grain-size is the predominant environmental factor affecting small-scale distribution in young-of-the-year (yoy) Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis . Laboratory tests showed that the smallest fish (31–40 mm L _T) chose fine sediments (muddy and fine sands), fish 51–70 mm had high selectivity (primarily medium sand), and the largest fish (80–150 mm) were not selective although they avoided the largest grain-sizes (pebbles and granules). Sediment preferences were correlated with size-dependent burial capabilities. Beam trawl collections were made over a 6 year period in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, to examine the distribution of yoy Pacific halibut (14–120 mm L _T) using small size classes (e.g. 10 mm intervals). Canonical correlation analysis showed that the per cent of sand in the sediment was a highly significant variable for all but one size and date combination. Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for newly settled fish (<30 mm L _T) was highest on very fine sand, fish 41–80 mm were most abundant on fine sand, and the largest yoy fish (81–120 mm) were abundant over a range of sediments from fine sand to mud. Except for the smallest fish, Pacific halibut in the field were associated with sediments somewhat finer than predicted from the laboratory experiments; however, virtually all were captured where they could bury easily. The ability of flatfish to bury and shelter in sediment is related to fish size; consequently, habitat associations shift rapidly during the first year of life. Habitat models for yoy flatfishes should consider size-dependent shifts in capabilities and preferences.     

Marine biotopes of Askar coastal area,east of Bahrain

The scope of the present work has covered the area located at the east coast of Bahrain along the Askar coast associated with depth mostly < 10 m, extending for approximately 5Km. This coastal area is subjected to several sources of industrial and domestic pollution. The marine survey was conducted in May 2018 within an area of ～5.27 km² covering the intertidal and subtidal zones. A drop-down video camera (DDV) was used within an equidistant station grid spaced by 300 m and entailed 69 stations. SCUBA diving was performed at eight locations representing different biotopes for qualitative and quantitative analysis based on epi-benthic flora and fauna. Five biotopes were identified representing silty sand, silty sand with seagrass, mud, rock with sand veneer and macroalgae. A lack of conspicuous flora and fauna characterized most of the sites investigated. The seagrass habitat was found to be of less cover across the study area represented by patchy forms (<1%). The high concentration of alluvium discharged by the sand wash plant heavily impacted the water clarity, where fine particles were driven by currents during the ebb cycle toward the Askar coast. The DDV survey showed that most of the bottom layers are turbid and numerous dead bivalve shells of Pinctada sp. were observed. The current monitoring program needs to be rescheduled to cover further locations to minimize the vulnerability of traditional fisheries.