An assessment of the spatial heterogeneity of environmental disturbance within an enclosed harbour through the analysis of meiofauna and nematode assemblages

Moreno, Mariapaola; Ferrero, T.J.; Gallizia, Ilaria; Vezzulli, Luigi; Albertelli, Giancarlo; Fabiano, M.

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2007.10.016

Cited by 93 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…We infer that in the muddy bottoms of Cienfuegos Bay the nematode assemblages are not food limited. A lack of positive response of nematode assemblages to food supply in organically enriched sediments has also been recorded by Moreno et al (2008) in a similar environment. Probably, the nematofauna can use the relatively high pool of organic matter already present in the sediment either as dissolved carbon (Jensen, 1987b) or as particulate carbon (Rudnick, 1989).…”

Section: Extrapolation To Field Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 59%

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Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment

Armenteros

Pérez-García

Ruiz-Abierno

et al. 2010

Marine Environmental Research

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Marine nematodes from subtidal tropical sediments of Cienfuegos Bay were subjected to organic enrichment in a microcosm experiment for 32 days. Nematode abundance and diversity decreased, and the taxonomic and trophic structure was altered. The results suggested that the nematodes were not food limited in the microcosms or in their natural environment. Chemical stressors such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide derived from reduced conditions in sediments may be important factors affecting the assemblages. Hypoxic conditions occurred in all experimental units, as well as in the field, suggesting a nematode assemblage adapted to naturally enriched sediments. However, tolerant species showed a grade of sensitivity to reduced conditions. In agreement with the model by Pearson and Rosenberg (1978), we predict that further organic enrichment in sediments from Cienfuegos Bay may cause a phase shift into a strongly depleted benthic fauna and reduced conditions in water and sediments.

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Section: Extrapolation To Field Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…The increase of the maturity index as a response to organic load has been explained by Moreno et al (2008) as the development of an assemblage characterized by species with low metabolic rate and tolerant to pollution. An artifact of the experimental microcosm could be the lack of recruitment of opportunistic species (Sandulli and Nicola-Giudici, 1989).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment

Armenteros

Pérez-García

Ruiz-Abierno

et al. 2010

Marine Environmental Research

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“…Given the increasing occurrence of problems to marine life and human health associated with harbours and all the implications for the EcoQ status, several studies on the effects of the harbours' environmental conditions on nematode assemblages were conducted in the Ligurian Sea Moreno et al, 2008aMoreno et al, , b, 2009Losi et al, 2013a,b) (Fig. 1).…”

Section: Trace Elements and Hydrocarbonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1). Moreno et al (2008a) revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in the abundance and composition of meiofaunal and nematode assemblages inside the Genoa-Voltri harbour in relation to main environmental variables (i.e. Eh, organic matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments).…”

Section: Trace Elements and Hydrocarbonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of Italian research on free-living marine nematodes and the future perspectives on their use as Ecological Indicators (EcoInds)

Semprucci¹,

Losi²,

Moreno³

2015

Medit. Mar. Sci.

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The use of free-living marine nematodes as ecological indicators (EcoInds) of human impacts has increased greatly in Italy since 1990. This paper is a summary of the Italian research experience in the study of nematode assemblages of shallow water habitats, and provides a breakdown of the most important insights that have been obtained so far. Although nematodes are among the best candidates for the Ecological Quality (EcoQ) assessment in the benthic domain, many guidelines need to be developed and limits overcome. Italian research has certainly contributed to the achievement of this purpose with highly focused local investigations on the effects of specific stressors (riverine and sewage discharge, aquaculture, trace elements and hydrocarbons), but also to a large extent with wider analyses aimed at finding new and valuable tools for monitoring programs and useful nematode descriptors, in line with the European Directives. Currently, the Italian and foreign experiences in this field draw light to the fact that the best nematode descriptors for the EcoQ assessment are the taxonomic composition and life strategy traits. However, nematode worldwide research is running the risk of being marginalized because of the relatively narrow scope of most contemporary studies. Nematode researchers should work in a nematologist community in order to better promote the use of nematodes such as EcoInds in the era of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). In the present paper, possible steps to obtain this goal are brought to the reader's attention and discussed.

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“…For this reason, the identification and assessment of ecological status and environmental variability may be helpful for the development of good planning and monitoring programs, leading to better management of estuarine ecosystems (Moreno et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and abundance of zooplankton community of an impacted estuarine lagoon in Northeast Brazil

Almeida

2012

Braz. J. Biol.

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AbastractGuaraíras Lagoon is a shallow coastal lagoon subject to intense human impacts, including shrimp aquaculture, urban expansion and agricultural activities, and is therefore vulnerable to eutrophication. With the aim of detecting the effects of human-mediated disturbance and environmental change in the lagoon, a spatial-temporal study was conducted in order to assess the actual ecological status of the lagoon and the species composition and density of the mesozooplankton, highlighting copepod assemblages. Algal biomass (chlorophyll-a) and total phosphorus concentration indicated that the lagoon is a meso-eutrophic coastal system in the inner part, and is oligotrophic in the areas influenced by the marine waters. High salinities were recorded in the lagoon, characterizing the lagoon as a coastal-marine ecosystem, rather than true estuarine. Mesozooplankton abundance fluctuated widely and showed marked spatial heterogeneity. The copepod assemblage was characterized by a coastal/estuarine group dominated by Oithona spp., Acartia lilljeborgi and Parvocalanus crassirostris in the inner areas of the lagoon, and a marine group characterized by the copepods Paracalanus quasimodo, Calanopia americana, Corycaeus (C.) speciosus and Monstrilloida in the area of marine influence. Thus, the spatial variability in the distribution of mesozooplankton species can be ascribed to the presence of a horizontal gradient of salinity and trophic conditions. Overall, the results showed that spatial variation in the water physicochemical characteristics of Guarairas Lagoon have significant effects on the structure and repartition of the mesozooplankton assemblages, which may potentially affect the functioning and biodiversity of this coastal ecosystem.Keywords: estuarine lagoon, anthropogenic impacts, zooplankton, copepods, composition. Composição e abundância da comunidade zooplanctônica de um laguna estuarina impactada do Nordeste do Brasil ResumoA laguna de Guaraíras é uma laguna costeira rasa sujeita a intensos impactos humanos, incluindo a carcinocultura, expansão urbana e agricultura, e desta forma, sujeita à eutrofização. Um estudo espaço-temporal foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o status ecológico da laguna e a composição de espécies e densidade do mesozooplâncton, com destaque para a assembleia de copépodos. A biomassa algal (clorofila-a) e a concentração de fósforo total indicaram que a laguna apresenta condições mesoeutróficas em sua porção interna, e oligotróficas nas áreas sob influência marinha. Foram registradas altas salinidades na laguna, caracterizando a laguna como um sistema costeiro-marinho, ao invés de um ambiente verdadeiramente estuarino. A abundância zooplanctônica flutuou expressivamente, e apresentou uma marcada heterogeneidade espacial. A assembleia de copépodos foi caracterizada por um grupo costeiro-estuarino, dominado por Oithona spp., Acartia lilljeborgi e Parvocalanus crassirostris nas áreas interiores da laguna, e um grupo marinho caracterizado pelos copépodos Paracalanus quasimodo, Calanopi...

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An assessment of the spatial heterogeneity of environmental disturbance within an enclosed harbour through the analysis of meiofauna and nematode assemblages

Cited by 93 publications

References 41 publications

Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment

Effects of organic enrichment on nematode assemblages in a microcosm experiment

A review of Italian research on free-living marine nematodes and the future perspectives on their use as Ecological Indicators (EcoInds)

Composition and abundance of zooplankton community of an impacted estuarine lagoon in Northeast Brazil

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