The contribution of seagrass beds (Zostera noltii) to the function of tidal flats as a juvenile habitat for dominant, mobile epibenthos in the Wadden Sea

Polte, Patrick; Schanz, Anja; Asmus, Harald

doi:10.1007/s00227-005-1583-z

Cited by 59 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The present study Table 2 MDS formed groups for the Z. noltii and eutrophic areas' production, with indication each group similarities (%) and the most representative species (%) contributing for the similarity within the group, determined with SIMPER analysis confirms the high estuarine production of the Mondego estuary and demonstrates that seagrass beds are more productive and support higher species richness than bare muddy/sandy areas, as seen also by Sprung (1994) and Heck et al (1995). Seagrass beds provide essential processes and services, such as nutrient cycling, detritial production and export, sediment stabilization and optimal habitat for growth, survival and reproduction for a variety of fish and invertebrate species (Heck et al, 2003;Cunha et al, 2005;Polte et al, 2005), which have been pointed out as the major reasons for the importance of the habitat. Yet, seagrass beds are in decline around the world (Short and Neckles, 1999;De Jonge and de Jong, 2002;Charpentier et al, 2005;Munkes, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…A major challenge for ecologists is the understanding of the ecosystem functioning and dynamics in the face of natural, anthropogenically-induced and extreme climate variability. One approach to this is through an analysis of the different components of the system contributing to production, widely used to assess the ecological integrity of ecosystems, including anthropogenic effects or climate change effects (Brey, 2001;Dolbeth et al, 2003;Cusson and Bourget, 2005;Polte et al, 2005). Here, changes are described in the macrobenthic secondary production of the Mondego estuary, Portugal, over a 10-year period, during which the system has undergone significant eutrophication and more recently has experienced extreme weather-related events.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic and natural disturbance effects on a macrobenthic estuarine community over a 10-year period

Dolbeth

Cardoso

Ferreira

et al. 2007

Marine Pollution Bulletin

119

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For some decades, the Mondego estuary has been under severe ecological stress, mainly caused by eutrophication. The most visible effect was the occurrence of macroalgal blooms and the concomitant decrease of the area occupied by Zostera noltii beds. Since the end of 1998, mitigation measures were implemented in the estuary to promote the recovery of the seagrass beds and the entire surrounding environment. The present study offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of disturbance and the success of the initial recovery process (before and after implementation of the management measures), over a 10-year period, having secondary production as the descriptor. Before the implementation of the mitigation measures, in parallel with the decrease of the Z. noltii beds, species richness, mean biomass and production also decreased, lowering the carrying capacity of the whole Mondego's south arm. Yet, after the introduction of management measures, the seagrass bed seemed to recover. Consequently, the biomass and production also increased substantially, for the whole intertidal area. Nevertheless, even after the mitigation measures implementation, natural-induced stressors, such as strong flood events induced a drastic reduction of annual production, not seen before the implementation of those measures. This shows that the resilience of the populations may have been lowered by a prior disturbance history (eutrophication) and consequent interactions of multiple stressors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic and natural disturbance effects on a macrobenthic estuarine community over a 10-year period

Dolbeth

Cardoso

Ferreira

et al. 2007

Marine Pollution Bulletin

119

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“…For example, the standing stock of the seagrass Zostera noltii in the intertidal region of the bight increased from 2960 mgC m −2 in 1995 to 17 282 mgC m −2 by 2010. Seagrass beds contribute to the function of tidal flats as an extended habitat for the juveniles of many species in the Wadden Sea, and seagrass beds are also considered to be indicators of ecosystem health (Polte et al 2005, Reise & Kohlus 2008, thus a positive development from an ecological point of view. The biomass of benthic grazers (Hydrobia ulvae and Littorina littorea) and some benthic detritus feeders (Arenicola marina, Capitellidae, Oligochaeta) increased from 1995 to 2010.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of invasive species on the structure and function of the Sylt-Rømø Bight ecosystem, northern Wadden Sea, over three time periods

Baird¹,

Asmus²,

Asmus³

2012

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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, respectively, in 2010. Reasons for the increases in oysters and A. modestus are related to climate change which favored strong recruitment of the invasive species during unseasonably warm summers, and the subsequent decline to weak recruitment of the invasive species and an unseasonably cold 2009/2010 winter. We used ecological network analysis (ENA) to quantify ecosystem structure and function through analyses of energy (or carbon) transfer between living and non-living compartments in each of the 3 network models. Results from ENA show an increase in most of the system attributes, but a decline in number of cycles, the trophic efficiency, the ascendency ratios, and relative redundancy from 1995 to 2007; these are ascribed to the impact of the invasive species on system organization and function. Following the dramatic decline of the invasive species from 2007 to 2010 most of the system attributes decreased. The variance in the biomass and associated flows of other compartments in addition to that of the invasive species has also played a role in the changes in system attributes and function.

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“…Accordingly, the estuary might have lost part of its production potential for these species, explaining the differences found with other studies elsewhere. As an example, the fish production of P. microps is potentially much higher in eelgrass beds than in bare sand (Table 2; Polte et al, 2005) and the Mondego estuary seagrass beds were considerably reduced in the early 90's in the south arm, loosing part of it production potential (Dolbeth et al, 2007). Presently, the seagrass beds are recovering , allowing more alternative habitats and potentially increasing invertebrate production in the following years (Dolbeth et al, 2007), which may translate into higher fish productions.…”

Section: Species Temporal Dynamics and Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies of Pomatoschistus minutus and Pomatoschistus microps to cope with environmental instability

Dolbeth

Martinho

Leitão

et al. 2007

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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The populations of Pomatoschistus minutus and Pomatoschistus microps were studied from June 2003 to May 2006 in the Mondego estuary, in order to understand the ability of these species to withstand environmental variability. During this period a severe drought occurred (2005), with consequent lower freshwater runoff and higher salinity incursion into the estuary. Occasional abnormal high water temperatures were observed in 2003 and 2005. The fish populations were sampled monthly along an estuarine gradient, from which population density, structure, growth and biomass production was assessed. Pomatoschistus minutus distributed mainly at the most saline downstream area, while P. microps distributed within the whole estuary, in accordance to the salinity and temperature tolerances for the species. A clear decrease in density and production was observed for P. minutus in the dry year, with non-expressive recruitments and the quick disappearance of the parental cohort. For P. microps, the decrease was not so pronounced. No direct effects were attributable to the salinity and temperatures variations (resulting from the drought and high temperatures). Yet, higher predation pressure on P. minutus hypothesis was raised, as the salinity incursion increased the piscivorous marine adventitious species in the downstream areas. Pomatoschistus microps benefited from a wider temperature and salinity range tolerance, allowing the species to occupy different areas in the estuary and by this seemed better able to cope with the environmental conditionings during the 3-year studied period.

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The contribution of seagrass beds (Zostera noltii) to the function of tidal flats as a juvenile habitat for dominant, mobile epibenthos in the Wadden Sea

Cited by 59 publications

References 40 publications

Anthropogenic and natural disturbance effects on a macrobenthic estuarine community over a 10-year period

Anthropogenic and natural disturbance effects on a macrobenthic estuarine community over a 10-year period

Effect of invasive species on the structure and function of the Sylt-Rømø Bight ecosystem, northern Wadden Sea, over three time periods

Strategies of Pomatoschistus minutus and Pomatoschistus microps to cope with environmental instability

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