The Effects of Sedimentation on Rocky Coast Assemblages

Airoldi, Laura

doi:10.1201/9780203180570-23

Cited by 60 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 191 publications

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“…Among the multiple stressors that can affect mussel populations, the sediment accumulated on rocky shores has been poorly studied. Airoldi (2003) suggests that sediment can interfere in the development of mussel beds, particularly the accumulation of sediment interferes with physical and biological processes that lead to a reduction of suitable habitats (Airoldi, 2003). The main negative effect described for sediment accumulation on mussel populations is the burial (e.g., Hutchison et al, 2016;Dos Santos et al, 2018) but that effect can be different among mussel species in function of their ability to emerge or resist burial (Zardi et al, 2008;Hutchison et al, 2016;Hutchison et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial-temporal variability of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck 1819 populations and their accumulated sediment in northern Portugal

Ramos-Oliveira

Sampaio

Rubal

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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Mytilus galloprovincialis is an ecosystem engineer that provides habitat and generates environmental heterogeneity, increasing local biodiversity. Moreover, it is an economically important species representing 14% of the global production of marine bivalves. Natural drivers and the increase of anthropogenic pressures, such as sediment stress, influence its populations on rocky shores. The objective of this study was to explore the spatial-temporal patterns of different M. galloprovincialis attributes along the north of Portugal. For that purpose, six rocky shores were selected and sampled six times along the year 2019. The percentage of cover, density, spat density, condition index, clump thickness, size classes and clump sediment content were considered. Results showed the lack of seasonality in M. galloprovincialis along the north coast of Portugal. However, density, spat stage, clump thickness, condition index and size classes showed some variability among dates and shores. The percentage cover and sediment content only significantly differed among shores. Our results indicated an absence of seasonality for all the studied variables, probably because temperature was always within the optimum range for this species and the abundance of food supply in the study area independently of the season. The accumulated sediment on mussel clumps did not show any temporal variability with only significant differences among shores. The accumulated sediment was composed mainly by medium and coarse sand and it was correlated with mussel average size, condition index, but especially with the mussel clump thickness.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial-temporal variability of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck 1819 populations and their accumulated sediment in northern Portugal

Ramos-Oliveira

Sampaio

Rubal

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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“…Although no statistically significant differences were found, the observations show a trend towards a greater presence of FTA throughout the experiment, potentially due to a type II error as a consequence of the low number of replicates. It has been found that some macroalgae can take advantage of sediment-rich habitats, including thicker stalk growth, apical growth, vegetative propagation, regeneration of basic structures, temporal reproduction cycles, and growth due to fluctuations in sediment cover (Airoldi andCinelli 1997, García andDíaz-Pulido 2006), while others can be negatively affected by these habitats (Kendrick 1991, Fabricius andDe'Ath 2001). The greater presence of FTA may be due to their ability to retain or trap more sediment particles from river or continental discharges than other morphofunctional groups (Birrell et al 2005, Quan-Young and Espinoza-Avalos 2006, Tebbett et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It should be noted that the increase in sedimentation rates is a major problem in coral reefs worldwide, causing mortality in reef species such as hard corals and greatly increasing the space available for alga colonization McCook 2004, Bégin et al 2016). However, this space can primarily be occupied by FTA, which are excellent sediment traps and much more resistant (Airoldi 2003) than the other functional groups evaluated. The prevailing view is that the effects of sedimentation on the coral reef ecosystem depend mainly on the community structure, the interaction with other biological, physical, and chemical factors and, to a large extent, the frequency of sedimentation events in the environment (Babcock andSmith 2002, Birrell et al 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of terrigenous sediments on macroalgae functional-form groups of coral reefs in Capurganá, Colombian Caribbean

López-Jiménez

Quan-Young²,

Florez-Leiva

2021

scimar

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Increased sedimentation in the marine environment has been described as a key factor in the degradation of coral reefs. One of the most important biological components of coral reefs is macroalgae. The objective of this study was to determine whether the effects of terrigenous sediments on macroalgae affect the current state of the coral reef ecosystem. In an in situ experiment in Capurganá Bay, terrigenous sediments were added to artificial plates and the impact on the recruitment and growth of the macroalgae was examined. In this experiment, three treatments were used: sediment addition and two natural conditions, one up to 10 m distance from the sediment addition (control 1) and one between 15 and 20 m distance from the sediment addition (control 2). The results indicated a high complexity and variability in the response of reef algae to the effects of sedimentation depending on the sediment grade size deposited. The addition had a positive effect on the recruitment and growth of filamentous algae, primarily red algae, whereas it had a negative effect on coralline algae. The sediments found on the plates did not significantly change the macroalgal structure (P>0.05). However, a trend was observed in the change of the algal cover in each treatment. These results indicate that there is a wide range of response of the algae depending on the functional groups and the nature of the sediment.

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“…In macroalgal communities, sediment depth and cover are important environmental lters because of their in uence on which species occur locally from the regional species pool (Airoldi, 2003;Götzenberger et al, 2012). Marine sediments in the tropics are typically formed from a combination of terrestrially and marine derived material (Tebbett, Goatley and Bellwood, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sediment cover is also important, particularly at the time of algal recruitment, as even a small cover of sand can inhibit attachment of macroalgal zygotes (Devinny and Volse, 1978;Gao et al, 2019). Sediments can also abrade the thalli causing tissue necrosis or may remove whole individuals (Airoldi, 2003). Conversely, mild sediment deposition on the benthos may be bene cial for algae as many herbivorous shes avoid consuming sand-laden algae (Tebbett, Bellwood and Purcell, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactive Effects of Sediments and Urchins on Tropical Macroalgal Forests

Harris

Wilson²,

Fulton

2021

Preprint

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Macroalgal forests are a prominent component of tropical seascapes providing food and shelter for many species whilst subsidising secondary productivity in coastal ecosystems. Monitoring and managing macroalgae requires an understanding of key processes that alter these assemblages, especially at the local scale. Here we consider how sediment depth/cover and abundance of the macroalgal grazing urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus, 1758), influence variation in community composition and physical structure of macroalgal patches within the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Our study found high urchin densities in sites with lower sediment loads and that sediments, urchin abundance and seascape position combined, explained 32% of the spatial variation in macroalgal forest community composition. We also found a greater occurrence of Sargassopsis, Caulerpa, Sirophysalis and Hormophysa in the lagoon where sediment cover/depth was high. Canopy height and cover of canopy forming macroalgae was also greater where sediment loads were high and urchin abundance low. Macroalgal genera with a strong and robust thallus were found in sediment depths up to 6 cm as opposed to those with softer, fragile thalli that were found in sediments < 2 cm. Our results demonstrate that high densities of urchins and mobile sediments can have profound effects on the composition and structure of tropical macroalgal forests. Changes to macroalgal forest community composition and physical structure will have flow-on effects for ecological processes such as productivity and habitat use which can alter the ecosystem goods and services macroalgal forests provide.

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The Effects of Sedimentation on Rocky Coast Assemblages

Cited by 60 publications

References 191 publications

Spatial-temporal variability of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck 1819 populations and their accumulated sediment in northern Portugal

Spatial-temporal variability of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck 1819 populations and their accumulated sediment in northern Portugal

Effect of terrigenous sediments on macroalgae functional-form groups of coral reefs in Capurganá, Colombian Caribbean

Interactive Effects of Sediments and Urchins on Tropical Macroalgal Forests

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