Influence of biota on spatial and temporal variation in sediment erodability and material flux on a tidal flat (Westerschelde, The Netherlands)

Widdows, J.; Brinsley,; Salkeld, P. N.; Lucas, Cathy H.

doi:10.3354/meps194023

Cited by 132 publications

(119 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

107

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The enhancement of sedimentation by suspension-feeders was measured in terms of biodeposition rates (faeces and pseudofaeces production; g m -2 h -1 ) (for further details of flume-based flux measurements see Widdows et al 1998aWiddows et al , 2000a. Flume-based measurements made on the Molenplaat in June and September 1997 represent new data to complement the 1996 data previously published by Widdows et al (2000a).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Spatial and temporal changes in the main physical, chemical and biological properties of the sediment on the Molenplaat were measured according to standardised procedures. Sediment grain size was analysed by wet-sieving (Widdows et al 2000a). Cores (2.54 cm diameter; n = 4 or 6) for algal pigment determinations were collected randomly over 1 m 2 and were sliced for the superficial 0 to 2 mm layer and at 2 to 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 10, 10 to 15 and 15 to 20 mm depth intervals.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The measurements of chlorophyll a in the sediment have been converted into an interpolated field of critical bed shear stress using the relation found in flume studies (Widdows et al 1998(Widdows et al , 2000a:…”

Section: Modelling Of Hydrodynamics and Sediment Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…• seasonal variations in sediment properties and benthic community structure ); • modelling of sediment dynamics (fine silt) as a function of tidal currents (Baptist et al 1999); • the impact of currents, macrobenthos and microphytobenthos on sediment erosion and deposition processes (Widdows et al 2000a, Lucas et al 2003); • tidal variations in resuspension of microphytobenthos (Lucas et al , 2001); • vertical mixing of sediment estimated by tracer experiments .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Role of physical and biological processes in sediment dynamics of a tidal flat in Westerschelde Estuary, SW Netherlands

Widdows

Blauw²,

Heip

et al. 2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

Self Cite

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article synthesises a series of studies concerned with physical, chemical and biological processes involved in sediment dynamics (sedimentation, erosion and mixing) of the Molenplaat tidal flat in the Westerschelde (SW Netherlands). Total sediment accretion rate on the flat (sand to muddy sand) was estimated to be ~2 cm yr -1 , based on 210 Pb and 137 Cs profiles. 7 Be showed maximum activity in the surface sediments during summer, reflecting accretion of fine silt at this time of year, and total vertical mixing of sediment to be in the order of 50 cm 2 yr -1 . The extent to which different physical and biological processes (tidal currents, air exposure, bio-stabilisation, biodeposition and bioturbation) contributed towards sediment dynamics was estimated. A sediment transport model based on physical factors estimated sedimentation rates of 1.2 cm yr -1 , but did not account for tidal or seasonal variation in suspended particulate matter (SPM), wind or effects of spring-neap tidal cycles. When the model was run with an increased critical bed shear stress due to the microphytobenthos, net sedimentation rates increased 2-fold. These higher rates were in closer agreement with the rates derived from the depth profiles of radionuclides for the central region of the tidal flat (2.0 to 2.4 cm yr -1 ). Therefore a significant part of the sedimentation rate (~50%) may be explained by spatial-temporal changes in biological processes, including 'bio-stabilisation' by microphytobenthos, together with the enhanced biodeposition of silt by suspension feeders, and offset by processes of 'bio-destabilisation' by grazers and bioturbators. In the centre of the tidal flat there was a shift from high sediment stability in spring-summer 1996 to low sediment stability in autumn 1997, quantified by a significant reduction in critical erosion velocity of 0.12 to 0.15 m s -1 , and accompanied by a 30-to 50-fold increase in sediment erosion rate. The change was associated with a shift from a tidal flat dominated by benthic diatoms and a low biomass of bioturbating clams (Macoma balthica), to a more erodable sediment with a lower microphytobenthos density and a higher biomass of M. balthica. Vertical mixing of sediment and organic matter, studied using a variety of tracers, was rapid and enhanced by advective water flow at sandy sites and by burrowing polychaetes and bivalves at silty sites. The sediment dynamics and biogeochemistry of tidal flats is dependent on the complex interactions between physical, chemical and biological processes/properties, which include tidal currents, river flows, storm waves, air exposure, dehydration in summer, ice-scour in winter, sediment properties (grain size and composition, organic content, nutrient content, redox balance), stabilisation by biota (algal biofilms, mussel beds, salt marsh) and destabilisation by biota (bioturbating bivalves, scouring around clumps of animals and plants). To date, there have been very few multi-disciplinary studies providing an integrated view of the sedim...

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Modelling Of Hydrodynamics and Sediment Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Role of physical and biological processes in sediment dynamics of a tidal flat in Westerschelde Estuary, SW Netherlands

Widdows

Blauw²,

Heip

et al. 2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

Self Cite

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Rainfall (Pilditch et al 2008), sediment characteristics (water, organic and sand content; Meadows andTait 1989, Feagin et al 2009), water velocity (Sgro et al 2005), and size and direction of tidal prism (Redfield 1972), all strongly influence the rate of erosion. Biotic agents, however, can also substantially influence erosion rates, particularly burrowers/bioturbators, consumers, or biostabilizers (Belanger and Bedard 1994, Butler 1995, Widdows et al 2000, Paramor and Hughes 2004, Jefferies et al 2006, Escapa et al 2007). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans

Davidson¹

2000

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Marine bioeroders, borers, and burrowers can have drastic effects to marine habitats and facilities. By physically altering the structure of marine habitats, these organisms may elicit ecosystem-level effects that cascade through the community. While borer damage is typically restricted to a few substratum types, burrowing isopods in the genus Sphaeroma attack a diversity of substrata in tropical and temperate systems. My dissertation examined how boring sphaeromatid isopods affect coastal habitats (saltmarshes, mangroves) and other estuarine substrata as well as marine structures. I used a combination of lab and mensurative field experiments to quantify the effects of boring by isopods and examine how select factors affect the colonization, hence burrowing damage by isopods. I explored these questions primarily using the temperate To examine the small-scale factors that mediate colonization and boring, I conducted a series of binary choice experiments. I found the presence of conspecifics, biofilm, and shade were important factors influencing colonization. These small scale factors likely explain why isopod attack is focused in some substrata. Finally, to examine the boring effects of tropical isopods in mangroves, I examined the associations between burrowing by S. terebrans and mangrove performance and fecundity. I found negative relationships between boring effects and performance and fecundity in two mangrove species in a restored mangrove stand in Taiwan. Together, these studies elucidate the effects of bioerosive isopods on saltmarshes, mangroves, and marine structures. However, the similar mechanisms involved in bioerosion in other boring species suggest that these results can be used to infer similar effects of other borers. In addition, since many species of sphaeromatid isopods have been introduced, this research shows how the effects of a non-native bioeroder can damage marine facilities and degrade and alter marine habitats.Through biological erosion and thus changing the physical structure of a marine habitat these non-native species can have ecosystem-level effects that cascade throughout the local community.iii Acknowledgements

show abstract

A mechanistic model linking insect (Hydropsychidae) silk nets to incipient sediment motion in gravel‐bedded streams

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plants and animals affect stream morphodynamics across a range of scales, yet including biological traits of organisms in geomorphic process models remains a fundamental challenge. For example, laboratory experiments have shown that silk nets built by caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) can increase the shear stress required to initiate bed motion by more than a factor of 2. The contributions of specific biological traits are not well understood, however. Here we develop a theoretical model for the effects of insect nets on the threshold of sediment motion, τ * crit , that accounts for the mechanical properties, geometry, and vertical distribution of insect silk, as well as interactions between insect species. To parameterize the model, we measure the tensile strength, diameter, and number of silk threads in nets built by two common species of caddisfly, Arctopsyche californica and Ceratopsyche oslari. We compare model predictions with new measurements of τ* crit in experiments where we varied grain size and caddisfly species composition. The model is consistent with experimental results for single species, which show that the increase in τ * crit above the abiotic control peaks at 40-70% for 10-22 mm sediments and declines with increasing grain size. For the polyculture experiments, however, the model underpredicts the measured increase in τ * crit when two caddisfly species are present in sediments of larger grain sizes. Overall, the model helps explain why the presence of caddisfly silk can substantially increase the forces needed to initiate sediment motion in gravel-bedded streams and also illustrates the challenge of parameterizing the behavior of multiple interacting species in a physical model.

show abstract

Influence of biota on spatial and temporal variation in sediment erodability and material flux on a tidal flat (Westerschelde, The Netherlands)

Cited by 132 publications

References 16 publications

Role of physical and biological processes in sediment dynamics of a tidal flat in Westerschelde Estuary, SW Netherlands

Role of physical and biological processes in sediment dynamics of a tidal flat in Westerschelde Estuary, SW Netherlands

Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans

A mechanistic model linking insect (Hydropsychidae) silk nets to incipient sediment motion in gravel‐bedded streams

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About