Multi-species response to rapid environmental change in a large estuary system: A biochronological approach

The sensitivity of species to environmental change is dependent on their ecological requirements (i.e. specialist v. generalist), and hence likely to be species-specific. Identifying species level variation in environmental sensitivity informs assessments of community vulnerability and assists in developing adaptive management strategies. We investigated species-specific sensitivity in fish to understand the vulnerability of differing life histories and ecological requirements to rapid environmental alteration (i.e. drought). Biochronologies of fish growth, based on increment widths in otoliths, were analysed using a mixed modelling approach. We assessed multi-decadal responses in fish growth to environmental variation in the terminal system of Australia’s largest river, for three long-lived fish species with differing life histories and ecological requirements: a freshwater specialist and two estuarine generalists. Biochronologies were between 20 and 38 years long, spanned a decade of severe drought and showed considerable inter-annual variation in growth. Precipitation influenced the growth of the obligate freshwater specialist, Macquaria ambigua ambigua. Temperature and salinity influenced the growth of the two estuarine generalists: Argyrosomus japonicus (estuarine opportunist) and Acanthopagrus butcheri (estuarine dependent), respectively. These results suggest that generalisations about how species respond to environmental change may mask species-specific responses to dependent on the constraints of their ecological requirements (i.e. specialist v. generalist). These findings also highlight the importance of considering the diversity of life history strategies that inhabit an ecosystem when developing conservation and management strategies.     

辽宁三角洲区域生态经济分区及其功能分析

应用主成分分析和系统聚类分析方法,将辽河三角洲划分为３个生态经济区和８个生态经济小区．通过对反映系统功能的３个表现属性的分析,评价了辽河三角洲农业生态经济系统的功能状况．     

Metal exchanges in the fauna-sediment system. The case of Nereis diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana in the Bou Regreg estuary (Morocco)

This study identifies the types and quantities of metals retained by Nereis diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana in a predominantly arid estuary environment.Certain abiotic parameters and a number of physiological processes linked to metabolic and reproductive functions play a decisive role in the seasonal influence of metal levels on the tissues of these organisms.Given the deposivoric diet of the organisms, the sedimentary bed would appear to be the principal source of metal accumulation.The following classification illustrates the bioaccumulation of metals: 209-1The possibility that these metals may be carried into the estuary by sewage water from the cities of Rabat and Sále should certainly not be ignored.     

珠江口城市段近岸表层水体浮游细菌分离方法比较

为了更好地分离珠江口未/难培养的浮游细菌,本研究以珠江河口三个样点的水体为研究对象,同时采用了纯培养和免培养的方法,对不同培养基的分离效果进行了探索。在纯培养实验中,本研究选择了7种不同的分离培养基,共分离获得153株菌;同时,将扩增子分析结果作为分离效果的参考,所有环境样品中共包含3 553个操作分类单元（operational taxonomic units,OTUs）。对三个样点微生物类群的多样性进行比较,纯培养结果显示珠江口下游珠海样点多样性最高,其次为中大和虎门样点;免培养则显示虎门样点多样性最高;对比7种不同的分离培养基,Z7（R₂A）培养基的分离效果最好,分离菌株数和分离类群的α多样性最高,Z1（改良ISP 2）次之;主坐标分析结合韦恩图的结果表明相比其余的培养基,Z1和Z7培养基分离获得的菌群兼具普遍性和特异性,进一步证明了这两种培养基的分离效果较佳;冗余分析结果表明K₂HPO₄、酵母粉、可溶性淀粉、MgSO₄·7H₂O、麦芽膏和葡萄糖与特定类群的分离有相关关系,其中K₂HPO₄的影响最为显著（P<0.05）。本文通过7种不同培养基对河口微生物分离效果的探究,有助于我们在研究未知微生物的营养特性时,选择成分和组成更合理的培养基来提升河口微生物纯培养的分离效率。     

Length–weight relationships of seven fish species in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters,Eastern China

The length–weight relationships (LWRs) for seven fish species belonging to five families in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters are presented. Cynoglossus gracilis, Cynoglossus macrolepidotus, Ctenotrypauchen chinensis, Collichthys niveatus, Ophichthus apicalis and Erisphex potti were collected monthly in 2009 using trammel nets (the size of smaller mesh net was 1.5 m × 15 m × 4 panels with mesh sizes of 2.5, 3.4, 4.3 and 5.8 cm; the size of larger-mesh net was 2.4 m × 30 m × 4 panels with mesh sizes of 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 cm; soaking overnight). Lophiogobius ocellicauda were collected December in 2020 using shrimp trawl nets (mesh size 2.0 cm). The precision of measurement for the fish specimens is 0.1 cm total length and 0.1 g total weight. The estimated ranges of the parameters a and b for the seven fish species were from 0.0001 to 0.0289 and 2.718 to 3.541, respectively. Two new maximum total length were recorded for Ctenotrypauchen chinensis and Ophichthus apicalis.     

2017—2020年珠江口棘头梅童鱼的种群特征

为了掌握珠江口重要经济鱼类棘头梅童鱼的种群特征,根据2017—2020年春(3—4月)、秋(9—10月)两季在珠江口海域开展的底拖网调查及采集到的棘头梅童鱼样本,对其生物学特征和资源密度分布特征进行了初步分析。结果表明: 珠江口棘头梅童鱼体长、体重变化范围分别为22～168 mm、0.23～103.11 g,其中雌性个体的体长、体重均大于雄性个体,未见明显的小型化现象;性成熟体长集中在90～140 mm,未见性成熟提早现象。总体长体重关系式中的异速生长因子b值为2.9057,且年际变化小,而条件因子a值(3.029×10^-5)小于1988年该海域的调查结果,说明珠江口棘头梅童鱼整体生长发育良好,但栖息地环境质量(饵料供应、生长环境)下降。研究海域梅童鱼的开发率E为0.67,处于过度捕捞状态;梅童鱼资源密度平均值为77.73 kg·km^-2, 中西侧资源密度大于东侧,在纬度方向上总体分布均匀;根据4个资源密度高值区初步推测其产卵场在南沙港附近。2017—2020年的年平均资源密度比1980—1982年下降了93.5%,为持续利用该资源,建议条件成熟时可于春季在产卵场设立保护区,以保护补充群体与产卵群体。     

互花米草入侵对红树林底栖甲壳动物和鱼类功能群及生态位的影响

为了解互花米草入侵对红树林湿地生态系统底栖甲壳动物和鱼类的影响,本研究利用地笼方式于2020年8月、2021年1月和4月对福建漳江口2个原生红树林样地(白骨壤和秋茄)、2个互花米草入侵样地以及1个光滩样地的底栖甲壳动物和鱼类进行采样调查。采用相对重要性指数、Shannon多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数和Margalef丰富度指数分析底栖甲壳动物和鱼类的优势种及物种多样性,统计其功能群,并计算其生态位宽度和生态位重叠指数。结果表明: 3个季节共采集到底栖甲壳动物和鱼类种类37种,隶属于2门2纲8目17科,其中大多数为暖水性和广盐性物种,且以肉食性和杂食性功能群为主。双因素方差分析和非度量多维尺度分析结果表明,相比光滩,互花米草入侵后,底栖甲壳动物和鱼类的群落多样性指数变化不显著,但功能群发生了显著变化,浮游生物食性功能群以及肉食性和植食性功能群物种均有一定程度的增加。相比红树林样地,互花米草样地内底栖甲壳动物和鱼类物种丰富度更高。优势物种的时空生态位宽度变化范围在0～1.4186,其中棱鮻最高(1.4186),其次是中华乌塘鳢(1.0168)、刀额新对虾(0.9469)、脊尾白虾(0.8922)。     

Observations of the Suspended Matter Distribution Dynamics in the Elbe Estuary from Time Series Aerial Photographs

Series of aerial photographs taken with an interval of 6 Minutes were used to study the dynamics of the suspended matter distribution in a 1 km section of the Elbe Estuary. The observations show heterogeneous distribution patterns which are different at each phase of the tidal cycle. The comparison with the bathymetry indicates that the distribution is mainly a function of the river bed topography, which modifies the local current structure. The surface distribution in the fairway region is especially determined by the ship traffic.     

First Field Studies of an Endangered South African seahorse, Hippocampus capensis

South Africa's endemic Knysna seahorse, Hippocampus capensis Boulenger 1900, is a rare example of a marine fish listed as Endangered by the IUCN because of its limited range and habitat vulnerability. It is restricted to four estuaries on the southern coast of South Africa. This study reports on its biology in the Knysna and Swartvlei estuaries, both of which are experiencing heavy coastal development. We found that H. capensis was distributed heterogeneously throughout the Knysna Estuary, with a mean density of 0.0089m^–2 and an estimated total population of 89000 seahorses (95% confidence interval: 30000–148000). H. capensis was found most frequently in low density vegetation stands (20% cover) and grasping Zostera capensis. Seahorse density was not otherwise correlated with habitat type or depth. The size of the area in which any particular seahorse was resighted did not differ between males and females. Adult sex ratios were skewed in most transects, with more males than females, but were even on a 10 by 10m focal study grid. Only three juveniles were sighted during the study. Both sexes were reproductively active but no greeting or courtship behaviours were observed. Males on the focal study grid were longer than females, and had shorter heads and longer tails, but were similar in colouration and skin filamentation. The level of threat to H. capensis and our limited knowledge of its biology mean that further scientific study is urgently needed to assist in developing sound management practices.     

Eelgrass recovery after nutrient enrichment reversal

Mumford Cove, a 48 ha Connecticut embayment on Long Island Sound, has a history of excessive nutrient inputs and corresponding eutrophic conditions with concomitant eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) loss. From 1945 to 1987, a municipal wastewater treatment facility discharged into the cove. In 1987, when the wastewater outfall was diverted to another location, the cove supported a near monoculture of the green algae Ulva lactuca L., covering 74% of the bottom. By 1988, macroalgal areal cover in Mumford Cove had declined to 9%. When we first sampled the cove in 1992, Z. marina and Ruppia maritima L. were present. By 1999, areal distribution of Z. marina and R. maritima had expanded to cover a third of the bottom. Periodic summertime surveys from 2002 through 2004 indicated that Z. marina was present in approximately half of the cove; R. maritima was sparse. Fifteen years after termination of nutrient enrichment, this cove had recovered from 40 years of point source anthropogenic nutrient input, returning from an Ulva-dominated to a Zostera-dominated state.