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Bi P, Chen G, Wang J, Hu H, Jiang Z, An W, Zhang J, Wang J, Liu X. Comparison of macrofaunal assemblages in temperate seagrass meadows and neighboring seabeds along the southeastern coast of Shandong Peninsula, China. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 190:114847. [PMID: 37002964 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Comparative study of macrofaunal assemblages in seagrass meadows and neighboring seabeds along the southeastern coast of Shandong Peninsula, China were performed. A total of 136 species were identified, including polychaetes (49 species), crustaceans (28), molluscs (58), and echinoderms (1). Species numbers of macrofauna in seagrass meadows and the neighboring seabeds were 52 and 65, respectively, whereas those in autumn were 90 and 56, respectively. Average macrofaunal abundances in spring in seagrass and neighboring seabeds were 2388.9 and 2516.7 ind./m2, respectively, whereas those in autumn were 11,689.0 and 1733.3 ind./m2, respectively. Ranges of species richness index, evenness index, and Shannon-Wiener index in seagrass meadows and the neighboring seabeds were 1.3-2.7, 0.7-0.9, 2.8-3.8, and 1.04-2.4, 0.5-0.9, 1.6-3.4 during spring, whereas those in autumn were 0.1-4.2, 0.3-0.8, 0.8-3.6 and 1.4-3.5, 0.5-0.9, 2.2-4.5. Bottom water temperature, salinity, sediment chlorophyll a concentration, and water content were the most important environmental factors influencing macrofaunal assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiru Bi
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Guangcheng Chen
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Jiming Wang
- Weihai Marine Development Research Institute, Weihai 264299, China
| | - Hongzhi Hu
- Weihai Marine Development Research Institute, Weihai 264299, China
| | - Zengjie Jiang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wenshuo An
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology Foundation, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology Foundation, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xiaoshou Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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Xu S, Qiao Y, Xu S, Yue S, Zhang Y, Liu M, Zhang X, Zhou Y. Diversity, distribution and conservation of seagrass in coastal waters of the Liaodong Peninsula, North Yellow Sea, northern China: Implications for seagrass conservation. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 167:112261. [PMID: 33799145 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seagrass beds are highly productive coastal ecosystems that are widely distributed along temperate and tropical coastlines globally. Although seagrass distribution and diversity have been widely reported on a global scale, there have been few reports on seagrass distribution and diversity in northern China, especially for coastal waters of the Liaodong Peninsula in the North Yellow Sea. In the present study, we investigated the distribution and diversity of seagrass in coastal waters of the Liaodong Peninsula in the North Yellow Sea, northern China. Field surveys of seagrass wrack were conducted along shorelines, to identify whether seagrass beds occurred in nearby waters, and sonar methods were then used to collect data relating to seagrass bed extent. Also, we analyzed the major threats facing seagrass beds. The results of the study revealed that four species (Zostera marina L., Z. japonica Aschers. & Graebn., Z. caespitosa M., and Phyllospadix iwatensis M.) were found in study area, covering a total area of 1253.47 ha. Seagrass bed area significantly decreased with increasing water depth, and most seagrass was recorded at depths of 2-5 m. Due to the steep slope of the seabed, seagrass beds exhibited a zonal distribution in most of the study areas. In addition, the amount of seagrass wrack along shorelines could be used to infer the size and distance of seagrass beds. Human activities, such as clam harvesting, land reclamation, coastal aquaculture pose a threat to the seagrass beds. This study provides new information to fill knowledge gaps regarding seagrass distribution in northern China and it provides a baseline for further monitoring of these seagrass beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongliang Qiao
- Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Shuai Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shidong Yue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingjie Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; CAS Engineering Laboratory for Marine Ranching, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Gaubert-Boussarie J, Altieri AH, Duffy JE, Campbell JE. Seagrass structural and elemental indicators reveal high nutrient availability within a tropical lagoon in Panama. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11308. [PMID: 33996280 PMCID: PMC8106914 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Seagrass meadows are valued coastal habitats that provide ecological and economic benefits around the world. Despite their importance, many meadows are in decline, driven by a variety of anthropogenic impacts. While these declines have been well documented in some regions, other locations (particularly within the tropics) lack long-term monitoring programs needed to resolve seagrass trends over time. Effective and spatially-expansive monitoring within under-represented regions is critical to provide an accurate perspective on seagrass status and trends. We present a comprehensive dataset on seagrass coverage and composition across 24 sites in Bahía Almirante, a lagoon along the Caribbean coast of Panama. Using a single survey, we focus on capturing spatial variation in seagrass physical and elemental characteristics and provide data on key seagrass bio-indicators, such as leaf morphology (length and width), elemental content (% nitrogen and phosphorus) and stable isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ15N). We further explore relationships between these variables and water depth (proxy for light availability) and proximity to shore (proxy for terrestrial inputs). The seagrass assemblage was mostly monospecific (dominated by Thalassia testudinum) and restricted to shallow water (<3 m). Above-ground biomass varied widely, averaging 71.7 g dry mass m−2, yet ranging from 24.8 to 139.6 g dry mass m−2. Leaf nitrogen content averaged 2.2%, ranging from 1.76 to 2.57%, while phosphorus content averaged 0.19% and ranged from 0.15 to 0.23%. These values were high compared to other published reports for T. testudinum, indicating elevated nutrient availability within the lagoon. Seagrass stable isotopic characteristics varied slightly and were comparable with other published values. Leaf carbon signatures (δ13C) ranged from −11.74 to −6.70‰ and were positively correlated to shoreline proximity, suggesting a contribution of terrestrial carbon to seagrass biomass. Leaf nitrogen signatures (δ15N) ranged from −1.75 to 3.15‰ and showed no correlation with shoreline proximity, suggesting that N sources within the bay were not dominated by localized point-source discharge of treated sewage. Correlations between other seagrass bio-indicators and environmental metrics were mixed: seagrass cover declined with depth, while biomass was negatively correlated with N, indicating that light and nutrient availability may jointly regulate seagrass cover and biomass. Our work documents the response of seagrass in Bahía Almirante to light and nutrient availability and highlights the eutrophic status of this bay. Using the broad spatial coverage of our survey as a baseline, we suggest the future implementation of a continuous and spatially expansive seagrass monitoring program within this region to assess the health of these important systems subject to global and local stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Gaubert-Boussarie
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Andrew H Altieri
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - J Emmett Duffy
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, Smithsonian Institution, Edgewater, MD, United States of America
| | - Justin E Campbell
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
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Murata H, Hara M, Yonezawa C, Komatsu T. Monitoring oyster culture rafts and seagrass meadows in Nagatsura-ura Lagoon, Sanriku Coast, Japan before and after the 2011 tsunami by remote sensing: their recoveries implying the sustainable development of coastal waters. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10727. [PMID: 33520472 PMCID: PMC7811784 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coastal ecosystems are blue infrastructures that support coastal resources and also aquaculture. Seagrass meadows, one of coastal ecosystems, provide substrates for epiphytic diatoms, which are food resources for cultured filter feeder organisms. Highly intensive coastal aquaculture degrades coastal environments to decrease seagrass meadows. Therefore, efficient aquaculture management and conservation of seagrass meadows are necessary for the sustainable development of coastal waters. In ria-type bays, non-feeding aquaculture of filter feeders such as oysters, scallops, and ascidians are actively practiced along the Sanriku Coast, Japan. Before the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the over-deployment of oyster culture facilities polluted the bottom environment and formed an hypoxic bottom water layer due to the organic excrements from cultured oysters. The tsunami in 2011 devastated the aquaculture facilities and seagrass meadows along the Sanriku Coast. We mapped the oyster culture rafts and seagrass meadows in Nagatsura-ura Lagoon, Sanriku Coast before and after the tsunami and monitored those and environments after the tsunami by field surveys. Methods We conducted field surveys and monitored the environmental parameters in Nagatsura-ura Lagoon every month since 2014. We used high-resolution satellite remote sensing images to map oyster culture rafts and seagrass meadows at irregular time intervals from 2006 to 2019 in order to assess their distribution. In 2019, we also used an unmanned aerial vehicle to analyze the spatial variability of the position and the number of ropes suspending oyster clumps beneath the rafts. Results In 2013, the number and distribution of the oyster culture rafts had been completely restored to the pre-tsunami conditions. The mean area of culture raft increased after the tsunami, and ropes suspending oyster clumps attached to a raft in wider space. Experienced local fishermen also developed a method to attach less ropes to a raft, which was applied to half of the oyster culture rafts to improve oyster growth. The area of seagrass meadows has been expanding since 2013. Although the lagoon had experienced frequent oyster mass mortality events in summer before the tsunami, these events have not occurred since 2011. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami deepened the sill depth and widened the entrance to enhance water exchange and improve water quality in the lagoon. These changes brought the expansion of seagrass meadows and reduction of mass mortality events to allow sustainable oyster culture in the lagoon. Mapping and monitoring of seagrass meadows and aquaculture facilities via satellite remote sensing can provide clear visualization of their temporal changes. This can in turn facilitate effective aquaculture management and conservation of coastal ecosystems, which are crucial for the sustainable development of coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Murata
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Port and Harbor Bureau, City of Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Hara
- Tohoku Ecosystem-Associated Marine Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Yonezawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Teruhisa Komatsu
- Faculty of Commerce, Yokohama College of Commerce, Yokohama, Japan.,Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
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Costa ACP, Garcia TM, Paiva BP, Ximenes Neto AR, Soares MDO. Seagrass and rhodolith beds are important seascapes for the development of fish eggs and larvae in tropical coastal areas. Mar Environ Res 2020; 161:105064. [PMID: 32784115 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the ichthyoplankton in two distinct tropical seascapes, gravelly sand with rhodolith beds (SRB) and muddy sand with seagrasses, were compared. The number of eggs was higher in the seagrass beds; however, the number of fish larvae was slightly higher in the SRB. Seagrass beds present less turbulent hydrodynamics and favor the retention of eggs and spawning. A more structured habitat provides better shelter, especially for eggs. However, as ontogeny progresses, the fish can explore areas with less shelter. This behavior was observed in this study, where the less structured SRB habitat had a high density of larvae in the later developmental stage. The dominance of earlier larval stages demonstrates a preference for more protected and less turbulent seascapes for nursery and offspring rearing. The results highlight that mapping of these seascapes (e.g., seagrass and rhodolith beds) will help to establish conservation measures to protect ecological connectivity and important tropical species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cecília Pinho Costa
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Tatiane Martins Garcia
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara Pereira Paiva
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Antônio Rodrigues Ximenes Neto
- Laboratório de Geologia e Gemorfologia Costeira e Oceânica (LGCO), Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE), Av. Dr. Silas Munguba, 1700, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo de Oliveira Soares
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Av. Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil; Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Carrer de les Columnes, Edifici Z, Cerdanyolla del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DISTEBA), Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy.
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