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Schlacher TA, Weston MA, Maslo B, Dugan JE, Emery KA, Hubbard DM, Kelaher BP, Lastra M, Parsons SE. Vehicles kill birds on sandy beaches: The global evidence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2025; 975:179258. [PMID: 40157036 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2025] [Accepted: 03/25/2025] [Indexed: 04/01/2025]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Schlacher
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Australia.
| | - Michael A Weston
- Deakin Marine Research and Innovation Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.
| | - Brooke Maslo
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA.
| | - Jenifer E Dugan
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA.
| | - Kyle A Emery
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA.
| | - David M Hubbard
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
| | - Brendan P Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre and Marine Ecology Research Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia.
| | - Mariano Lastra
- Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Stuart E Parsons
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Australia.
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2
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Augusto M, Abude RRS, Cardoso RS, Nascimento RL, Valentin JL, Cabrini TMB. Effectiveness of protected areas and restricted access in sandy beach biodiversity conservation: A case study from Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2025; 205:106995. [PMID: 39954385 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.106995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2025] [Accepted: 02/03/2025] [Indexed: 02/17/2025]
Abstract
Sandy beaches are important socio-ecological systems for human well-being and coastal stability. They are also economic and cultural assets; however, urbanization and human activities threaten their ecosystem services and biodiversity. Thus, it is important to discuss strategies for ecosystem conservation. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different degrees of spatial protection (Protected Areas - PA vs Restricted Access - RA) on the macrofauna of sandy beaches in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Beaches were sampled in 2012 and 2020, before and after PA implementation, and compared to beaches with Restricted Access (RA). Results revealed that RA beaches supported higher macrofaunal density and species richness, including indicator species, compared to PAs. These findings suggest that RA areas are more effective in conserving sandy beach macrofaunal communities than PAs with unrestricted public access. While beaches are vital for human well-being and recreation, proper management of human activities within PAs is essential to safeguard biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Augusto
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), 458 Pasteur Avenue, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 22.290-240, Brazil.
| | - Rayane R S Abude
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), 458 Pasteur Avenue, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 22.290-240, Brazil; Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Brazil
| | - Ricardo S Cardoso
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), 458 Pasteur Avenue, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 22.290-240, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo L Nascimento
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Department of Marine Biology, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 24.210-201, Brazil
| | - Jean L Valentin
- Laboratory of Zooplankton, Department of Marine Biology, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21.949-900, Brazil
| | - Tatiana M B Cabrini
- Laboratory of Marine Ecology, Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, Institute of Biosciences, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), 458 Pasteur Avenue, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 22.290-240, Brazil
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3
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Quintanilla-Ahumada D, Quijón PA, Jahnsen-Guzmán N, Lynn KD, Pulgar J, Palma J, Manríquez PH, Duarte C. Splitting light pollution: Wavelength effects on the activity of two sandy beach species. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124317. [PMID: 38844041 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) threatens to disrupt most natural habitats and species, including those in coastal settings, where a growing number of studies have identified ALAN impacts. A careful examination of the light properties behind those impacts is important to better understand and manage the effects of this stressor. This study focused on ALAN monochromatic wavelengths and examined which types of light spectra altered the natural activity of two prominent coastal species from the Pacific southeast: the talitroid amphipod Orchestoidea tuberculata and the oniscoid isopod Tylos spinulosus. We compared the natural daylight/night activity of these organisms with the one they exhibit when exposed to five different ALAN wavelengths: lights in the violet, blue, green, amber, and red spectra. Our working hypothesis was that ALAN alters these species' activity at night, but the magnitude of such impact differs depending on light wavelengths. Measurements of activity over 24 h cycles for five consecutive days and in three separate experiments confirmed a natural circadian activity pattern in both species, with strong activity at night (∼90% of probability) and barely any activity during daylight. However, when exposed to ALAN, activity declined significantly in both species under all light wavelengths. Interestingly, amphipods exhibited moderate activity (∼40% of probability) when exposed to red lights at night, whereas isopods shifted some of their activity to daylight hours in two of the experiments when exposed to blue or amber lights, suggesting a possible alteration in this species circadian rhythm. Altogether, our results were consistent with our working hypothesis, and suggest that ALAN reduces night activity, and some wavelengths have differential effects on each species. Differences between amphipods and isopods are likely related to their distinct adaptations to natural low-light habitat conditions, and therefore distinct sensitivity to ALAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Quintanilla-Ahumada
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro A Quijón
- Coastal Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Nicole Jahnsen-Guzmán
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - K Devon Lynn
- Coastal Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - José Pulgar
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Investigaciones Marinas de Quintay (CIMARQ), Chile
| | | | - Patricio H Manríquez
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Conducta de la Ontogenia Temprana (LECOT), Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Cristian Duarte
- Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Investigaciones Marinas de Quintay (CIMARQ), Chile.
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4
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Checon HH, Corte GN, Shah Esmaeili Y, Muniz P, Turra A. The efficacy of benthic indices to evaluate the ecological quality and urbanization effects on sandy beach ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159190. [PMID: 36195141 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Benthic indices have been widely used across different coastal ecosystems to assess ecological quality and detect anthropic impacts, but very few studies investigated their effectiveness on sandy beaches. Here, we evaluated and compared the efficacy of 12 assemblage-based benthic indices in assessing ecological quality in beaches, across a gradient of anthropic pressure and natural variability in 90 sandy beach sites. Overall, when sandy beaches were considered collectively, benthic indices had a poor performance in identifying decreases in ecological quality with increasing urbanization. However, when each morphodynamic type was evaluated separately, a few indices, especially those that were calibrated by reference conditions (i.e., M-AMBI, BAT, and BEQI-2), showed promising results for dissipative, and to a lesser extent, intermediate beaches. For reflective beaches, indices performed poorly, likely a reflection of the stronger natural disturbance these beaches are subjected to. Among functional indices, richness was found to be lower in urbanized beaches, but only in dissipative ones. Overall, our results show that benthic indices have the potential to be incorporated in sandy beach management and monitoring programs, especially for dissipative and intermediate beaches. For reflective beaches, given the early stage of studies with benthic indices in beaches, more research is needed to corroborate the observed patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helio H Checon
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme N Corte
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Escola do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, CEP 88302-202 Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Yasmina Shah Esmaeili
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CEP 13083-862 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pablo Muniz
- Oceanografía y Ecología Marina (OEM), Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales (IECA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Alexander Turra
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), CEP 05508-120 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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5
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Lynn KD, Quintanilla-Ahumada D, Duarte C, Quijón PA. Hemocyanin as a biological indicator of artificial light at night stress in sandy beach amphipods. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 184:114147. [PMID: 36152494 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The influence of artificial light at night (ALAN) is becoming evident in marine sandy beaches. These habitats are dominated by species reliant on natural daylight/night regimes, making the identification of biological indicators a priority. We assessed the applicability of hemocyanin, an oxygen-transport protein in the hemolymph of many invertebrates, as an indicator of ALAN-related stress. Unlike total proteins, hemocyanins signal metabolic function and stress, so we expected them to increase in response to ALAN. We adapted spectrophotometry protocols to describe spatial variation in hemocyanins and total proteins in four populations of the talitroid amphipod Americorchestia longicornis. Then, a two-week experiment tested for changes in response to ALAN. Hemocyanin levels increased by 17 % and 40 % with respect to experimental controls after 7 and 14 d, respectively, and were higher than any measurements conducted in the field. These results suggest good prospects for hemocyanin as an indicator of ALAN effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Devon Lynn
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A4P3, Canada
| | - Diego Quintanilla-Ahumada
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Investigación Marina Quintay (CIMARQ), Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian Duarte
- Centro de Investigación Marina Quintay (CIMARQ), Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro A Quijón
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A4P3, Canada.
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Equbal J, Lakra RK, Savurirajan M, Satyam K, Thiruchitrambalam G. Assessing the benthic quality status of three fine sand tropical beaches from the Andaman Islands through the application of marine biotic indices. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:479. [PMID: 35666327 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rapid coastal development in the Andaman Islands has resulted in littoral habitat degradation. Understanding the performances of marine biotic indices and the interpretation and translation of those results into coastal health assessment could become an integral tool in future monitoring and management policies. In this line of efforts, the ecological quality status of three sandy beaches, two urban and one nonurban, was evaluated by using three marine biotic indices. The faunal community belonged to moderately well-sorted fine sand biocenosis. The relatively high species richness (15.9 ± 0.80 taxa sample-1) and moderate abundance (563 ± 38.8 ind.m-2) were features of the benthic fauna. The urban beaches (Aberdeen Bay and Carbyn's Cove) corresponded to tolerant benthic communities. Malacoceros indicus, Grandidierella megnae and Scolelepis squamata (tolerant species), and Ampelisca diadema (indifferent species) were the major constituents of urban beaches, while Scoloplos capensis, Urothoe grimaldii, and Urothoe platydactyla (sensitive species) were important at the nonurban beach (Wandoor). The high-good quality status prevailed across the spatial and temporal scales except for Carbyn's cove beach, where good-poor status was noticed. The M-AMBI appeared to be the most robust measure in distinguishing the impact between the urban and nonurban beaches. The constrained ordinations revealed a gradient of disturbance across the beaches. The distinct patterns of sample segregation were the result of the ecological response. This attempt should be considered a comprehensive measure of quality assessment of beaches under human pressure and draw a parallel line of evidence to global studies on sandy beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawed Equbal
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
| | - Raj Kiran Lakra
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
| | - M Savurirajan
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
- National Centre for Coastal Research, NIOT Campus, Velacherry-Tambaram Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai - 600100, India
| | - Kunal Satyam
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India
| | - Ganesh Thiruchitrambalam
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, 744112, India.
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7
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Soto EH, Botero CM, Milanés CB, Rodríguez-Santiago A, Palacios-Moreno M, Díaz-Ferguson E, Velázquez YR, Abbehusen A, Guerra-Castro E, Simoes N, Muciño-Reyes M, Filho JRS. How does the beach ecosystem change without tourists during COVID-19 lockdown? BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2021; 255:108972. [PMID: 36533087 PMCID: PMC9746931 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Urban tourist beach ecosystems provide the essential service of recreation. These ecosystems also support critical ecological functions where biodiversity conservation is not usually a priority. The sudden lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic created a unique opportunity to evaluate the effects of human absence in these urban-coastal ecosystems. This study examined bioindicators from 29 urban tourist beaches in seven Latin-American countries and assesses their response to lockdown about some relevant anthropogenic stressors such as pollution, noise, human activities, and user density. The presence of animals and plants, as well as the intensity of stressors, were assessed through a standardized protocol during lockdown conditions. Additionally, the environmental conditions of the beaches before and during lockdown were qualitatively compared using multivariate non-parametric statistics. We found notable positive changes in biological components and a clear decrease in human stressors on almost all the beaches. Dune vegetation increased on most sites. Similarly, high burrow densities of ghost crabs were observed on beaches, except those where cleaning activity persisted. Because of the lockdown, there was an exceptionally low frequency of beach users, which in turn reduced litter, noise and unnatural odors. The observed patterns suggest that tourist beaches can be restored to natural settings relatively quickly. We propose several indicators to measure changes in beaches once lockdown is relaxed. Adequate conservation strategies will render the recreational service of tourist beaches more environmental-friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Soto
- Centro de Observación Marino para Estudios de Riesgos del Ambiente Costero (COSTAR), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Chile
- Proplayas Network
| | - C M Botero
- Escuela de Derecho, Universidad Sergio Arboleda, Santa Marta, Colombia
- Proplayas Network
| | - C B Milanés
- Universidad de La Costa, Departamento Civil y Ambiental, Barranquilla, Colombia
- Proplayas Network
| | | | | | - E Díaz-Ferguson
- Estación Científica Coiba (Coiba AIP), Ciudad del Saber, Clayton, Panamá
- Proplayas Network
| | - Y R Velázquez
- Centro de Estudios Multidisciplinarios de Zonas Costeras (CEMZOC), Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
- Proplayas Network
| | - A Abbehusen
- Universidade Católica do Salvador, Centro de Ecologia e Conservação animal, ECOA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Proplayas Network
| | - E Guerra-Castro
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida, Yucatán, México
- Laboratorio Nacional de Resiliencia Costera, Laboratorios Nacionales, CONACYT, Mexico
- Proplayas Network
| | - N Simoes
- Laboratorio Nacional de Resiliencia Costera, Laboratorios Nacionales, CONACYT, Mexico
- Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación Sisal (UMDI-SISAL), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sisal, Yucatán, México
- Proplayas Network
| | - M Muciño-Reyes
- Laboratorio Nacional de Resiliencia Costera, Laboratorios Nacionales, CONACYT, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
- Proplayas Network
| | - J R Souza Filho
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Baiano - IFBAIANO, Bahia, Brazil
- Proplayas Network
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9
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Ocaña FA, De Jesús-Navarrete A, Hernández-Arana HA. Across-shore distribution ofOcypode quadrataburrows in relation to beach features and human disturbance. J NAT HIST 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2018.1524030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frank A. Ocaña
- Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Unidad Chetumal), Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Alberto De Jesús-Navarrete
- Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Unidad Chetumal), Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Héctor A. Hernández-Arana
- Departamento de Sistemática y Ecología Acuática, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Unidad Chetumal), Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Muñoz-Lechuga R, Gutiérrez-Martínez M, Sanz-Fernández V, Gómez-Cabeza A, Cabrera-Castro R. Infralittoral-sublittoral (submerged zone) macroinfauna community structure of high-impact, medium-impact and non-impact beaches on the Gulf of Cádiz coast (SW Spain). Evaluation of anthropogenic alterations: Nourishments, human impact and urbanization. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 133:85-98. [PMID: 29248247 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Beaches are dynamic transitional environments subject to numerous natural and anthropic alterations. In these ecosystems, the infralittoral-sublittoral macrofauna communities play a key role in the food web. The objective of this study was to compare macrofauna communities on six beaches on the Gulf of Cádiz coast, which were classified according to the anthropic alterations they support, and evaluate the influence of abiotic factors on the species distribution. Sampling was done in the infralittoral-sublittoral zone of each beach using a modified manual dredge. Five perpendicular transects of 25 m, each separated by 10 m, were performed per beach, with a total sample area of 43.75 m2 per beach. A total of 27 species were found, of which Donax trunculus, Diogenes pugilator, and Tritia grana were the most abundant. Anthropogenic effects are appreciable in the infralittoral-sublittoral although they are areas that are permanently submerged and less exposed than the intertidal. Beach nourishments carried out with large volumes of sand can alter the grain size, the most influential parameter on the distribution of the species, and consequently, affect the macrofauna community that inhabits these beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Muñoz-Lechuga
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Avda. de la Universidad, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - M Gutiérrez-Martínez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Avda. de la Universidad, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - V Sanz-Fernández
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Avda. de la Universidad, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain; Dpto. de Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Campus de la Rábida, Universidad de Huelva, 21819, Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain
| | - A Gómez-Cabeza
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Avda. de la Universidad, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - R Cabrera-Castro
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz, Avda. de la Universidad, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), Avda. de la Universidad, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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11
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Schlacher TA, Carracher LK, Porch N, Connolly RM, Olds AD, Gilby BL, Ekanayake KB, Maslo B, Weston MA. The Early Shorebird Will Catch Fewer Invertebrates on Trampled Sandy Beaches. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161905. [PMID: 27564550 PMCID: PMC5001726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species of birds breeding on ocean beaches and in coastal dunes are of global conservation concern. Most of these species rely on invertebrates (e.g. insects, small crustaceans) as an irreplaceable food source, foraging primarily around the strandline on the upper beach near the dunes. Sandy beaches are also prime sites for human recreation, which impacts these food resources via negative trampling effects. We quantified acute trampling impacts on assemblages of upper shore invertebrates in a controlled experiment over a range of foot traffic intensities (up to 56 steps per square metre) on a temperate beach in Victoria, Australia. Trampling significantly altered assemblage structure (species composition and density) and was correlated with significant declines in invertebrate abundance and species richness. Trampling effects were strongest for rare species. In heavily trafficked plots the abundance of sand hoppers (Amphipoda), a principal prey item of threatened Hooded Plovers breeding on this beach, was halved. In contrast to the consistently strong effects of trampling, natural habitat attributes (e.g. sediment grain size, compactness) were much less influential predictors. If acute suppression of invertebrates caused by trampling, as demonstrated here, is more widespread on beaches it may constitute a significant threat to endangered vertebrates reliant on these invertebrates. This calls for a re-thinking of conservation actions by considering active management of food resources, possibly through enhancement of wrack or direct augmentation of prey items to breeding territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Schlacher
- School of Science and Engineering, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Q-4558, Maroochydore, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Lucy K. Carracher
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Nicholas Porch
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Rod M. Connolly
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coast & Estuaries, and School of Environment, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Southport, Australia
| | - Andrew D. Olds
- School of Science and Engineering, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Q-4558, Maroochydore, Australia
| | - Ben L. Gilby
- School of Science and Engineering, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Q-4558, Maroochydore, Australia
| | - Kasun B. Ekanayake
- School of Science and Engineering, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Q-4558, Maroochydore, Australia
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Brooke Maslo
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 55 Commercial Ave, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Weston
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Brown MB, Schlacher TA, Schoeman DS, Weston MA, Huijbers CM, Olds AD, Connolly RM. Invasive carnivores alter ecological function and enhance complementarity in scavenger assemblages on ocean beaches. Ecology 2015; 96:2715-25. [DOI: 10.1890/15-0027.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Smith MJ, Drake PL, Vogwill R, McCormick CA. Managing natural resources for their human values. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es15-00125.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Huijbers CM, Schlacher TA, Schoeman DS, Olds AD, Weston MA, Connolly RM. Limited functional redundancy in vertebrate scavenger guilds fails to compensate for the loss of raptors from urbanized sandy beaches. DIVERS DISTRIB 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chantal M. Huijbers
- Australian Rivers Institute – Coast & Estuaries, and School of Environment Griffith University Gold Coast Qld 4222 Australia
- School of Science & Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore DC Qld 4558 Australia
| | - Thomas A. Schlacher
- School of Science & Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore DC Qld 4558 Australia
| | - David S. Schoeman
- School of Science & Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore DC Qld 4558 Australia
| | - Andrew D. Olds
- School of Science & Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore DC Qld 4558 Australia
| | - Michael A. Weston
- Centre for Integrative Ecology Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Rod M. Connolly
- Australian Rivers Institute – Coast & Estuaries, and School of Environment Griffith University Gold Coast Qld 4222 Australia
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