Developing a Model to Select Indicator Species Based on Individual Species’ Contributions to Biodiversity

Abstract

In both ecological research and engineering, the selection of indicator species is crucial. Biodiversity has always been an important policy objective for ecologists and environmental managers. Based on this target requirement, we developed a method that reveals the individual contributions of species to biodiversity to quantitatively identify indicator species for selection during environmental monitoring. The Siangshan Wetland in Hsinchu, Taiwan, was selected as an application case. The spread of mangroves not only changed the original habitat composition and function of benthic organisms in wetlands, but also led to problems such as estuary filling, flooding, and black mosquito breeding. Therefore, a large-scale mangrove removal project was undertaken by the Hsinchu City Government from October 2015 to March 2016. In this study, the biological effects of mangrove removal on benthic organisms and adjacent habitats were investigated from October 2015 to September 2016. According to biodiversity contribution algorithms, we identified five indicator species, namely, Mictyris brevidactylus, Macrophthalmus banzai, Uca arcuata, U. lacteal, and U. borealis. These indicator species had the most prominent biodiversity contribution, and they provided direct evidence of the beneficial effect of mangrove removal for wetland restoration. After mangrove deforestation, tidal flat species returned to their original habitats, and their related densities increased significantly in mangrove removal areas. Improving our understanding of the relationships between biodiversity and indicator species is crucial for the development of coastal management processes. Mangrove removal can be confirmed as an appropriate habitat rehabilitation strategy for benthic organisms. Consequently, these indicator species and the results obtained can provide valuable ecological information for those involved in coastal management or other officials seeking to control the spread of mangroves.

Sustainability Perspective of Minjiang Estuary Coastal Fisheries Management—Estimation of Fish Richness

“…The Minjiang River is the largest river in Fujian Province, with the geographic co-ordinates of 118 • 52 -119 • 58 E and 25 • 17 -26 • 34 N, covering an area of 6131 km 2 . The Minjiang River estuary is a strong tidal delta estuary with mountain streams, and the annual average runoff to the sea is 620 × 108 m 3 . In addition to seasonal runoff, the estuary area is also affected by the coastal waters of Fujian and Zhejiang, the Taiwan warm current, and the Kuroshio current [42].…”

“…Biologists generally define the sum of genes, species and ecosystems in an area as biodiversity [1]. There are four types of biodiversity including taxonomic diversity [2], ecological diversity [3], morphological diversity (genetic diversity and molecular diversity) [4] and functional diversity [5]. A wide range of aquatic organisms has been reported, including bacteria and unicellular algae to microscopic crustaceans, benthic animals, zooplankton and fish [6].…”

Sediment temperature characteristics and their relation to distribution patterns of two sentinel crab species in intertidal flats in western Japan

“…Our study focused on two species of sentinel crabs Macrophthalmus japonicus and Macrophthalmus banzai , which are infaunal brachyuran decapods that dig burrows in sandy or muddy intertidal flats 16 . These sentinel crabs affect intertidal flat ecosystems through bioturbation 17 , 18 , and have been utilized as effective indicators to assess environmental changes in intertidal zones 19 , 20 . Thus, studies on these two species are expected to contribute to the conservation of intertidal flat ecosystems and the establishment of monitoring techniques.…”