Assessment of larval connectivity in a sandy beach mole crab through a coupled bio-oceanographic model

Meerhoff, Erika; Defeo, Omar; Combes, Vincent; Franco, Bárbara Cristie; Matano, Ricardo P.; Piola, Alberto R.; Hernández-Vaca, Freddy; Celentano, Eleonora

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2020.107035

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Wedge clam abundance was higher on wide and dissipative oceanic beaches, whereas reflective beaches were skewed toward adults with larger body size and biomass, suggesting a scaling of abundance to body size and potential density-dependent effects shaping population patterns. Assessing metapopulation connectivity with high-resolution hydrodynamic models will provide insights into the role of subsidies across beach types (Harris et al 2014, Meerhoff et al 2020 and will be helpful to define suitable beaches and critical minimum larval supply for metapopulation growth and persistence (Lipcius et al 2015(Lipcius et al , 2021. A physical−biological coupling at different scales generates significant variation in pre-and post-settlement processes; the relative importance of these processes across the morphodynamic spectrum has yet to be elucidated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unravelling the role of local and large-scale factors in structuring sandy beach populations: the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus

Celentano

Gómez

Lercari

et al. 2022

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Changes in the structure and dynamics of sandy beach macrofaunal populations result from the simultaneous action of local and regional factors acting synergistically. This is particularly noticeable in transitional interfaces between freshwater and marine ecosystems, where large-scale gradients affect local beach morphodynamics and resident fauna. The wedge clam Donax hanleyanus occurs on beaches with contrasting morphodynamics along the salinity gradient generated by the Rio de la Plata estuary. We conducted sampling surveys to determine a fine-grained comprehensive coverage of the species’ distribution in Uruguay to assess the concurrent effects of large-scale variations in salinity and local beach morphodynamics on wedge clam populations along 400 km (16 sandy beaches) over 2 yr. The main factor controlling wedge clam occurrence was salinity, overriding the effects of local habitat features. On beaches where the species was present, total abundance was higher on oceanic dissipative shores, which also harbored a higher abundance and relative representation of recruits. Recruitment was almost lacking in reflective beaches. However, biomass of adults with larger body sizes prevailed on reflective beaches, suggesting a scaling of abundance to body size and potential density-dependent effects. In this metapopulation, estuarine beaches are sinks, whereas oceanic beaches act as source habitats. We concluded that large-scale gradients generated by salinity variations translated into local population patterns (distribution, abundance and population structure) and processes (recruitment), which were secondarily driven by local morphodynamics. The relative importance of pre- and post-settlement processes across the morphodynamic spectrum from reflective to dissipative beaches has yet to be elucidated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unravelling the role of local and large-scale factors in structuring sandy beach populations: the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus

Celentano

Gómez

Lercari

et al. 2022

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…However, it is important to consider that during dispersal, larvae can undergo a number of biologically driven modifications, depending on their physiological characteristics and environmental conditions. Therefore, connectivity studies have to be performed with Lagrangian particle‐tracking models able to quantitatively integrate the wide spatial and temporal variability in oceanographic processes with processes intrinsic to the biology of marine organisms, as already shown in previous studies addressing larval connectivity (Cowen et al., 2005; Gawarkiewicz et al., 2007; Werner et al., 2007), also over multiannual spawning seasons (Gargano et al., 2017; Rochette et al., 2012) and also adopting coupled particle‐tracking Individual‐Based‐Models to address the effect of migration behavior and of environmental parameters to planktonic larval duration and dispersal (Bolle et al., 2009; Martha‐Almeida et al., 2008; Meerhoff et al, 2020; Rochette et al., 2012). Here, the multiannual biophysical larval transport modeling approach was fully proved by a working example in which connectivity is assessed by the integration of hydrodynamic, biological, behavioral, and habitat models.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nephrops norvegicus in the Adriatic Sea: Connectivity modeling, essential fish habitats, and management area network

Canu

Laurent

Morello

et al. 2020

Fisheries Oceanography

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Knowledge of connectivity among subpopulations is fundamental in the identification of the appropriate geographical scales for stock status evaluation and management, the identification of areas with greater retention rates, and space‐based fisheries management. Here, an integration of hydrodynamic, biological, and habitat models results is used to assess connectivity and support the definition of essential fish habitats (EFH) in the Adriatic Sea, with reference to Nephrops norvegicus, an important benthic commercial resource, the recruitment of which is strongly related to larval dispersal from spawning to recruitment areas. We explored oceanographic and biological connectivity in the Adriatic Sea under a wide and representative variety of oceanographic conditions (winters 2006–2012) by tracking 3D trajectories of larvae released from different areas. We used a Lagrangian model that features a specific larval behavior module with explicit dependence on environmental parameters (i.e., temperature and sediment type) and that is driven by high‐resolution hydrodynamic and meteorological data. The results were used to partition the area in which Nephrops was observed into 20 homogenous management subareas; to assess the connection between spawning, recruitment, and harvesting grounds; and to identify potential subpopulation boundaries as well as the connectivity among the potential subpopulations. The results suggest the presence of at least three distinct subpopulations, which need to be independently managed and conserved, and confirms that the Jabuka‐Pomo pit is the most important spawning area, but alone it cannot sustain Nephrops populations throughout the Adriatic Sea. The results also show the importance to move from particle‐tracking to approaches based on integrated models.

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“…O. quadrata has a planktonic larvae phase, thus sea temperature is more likely to be related to larvae metabolism, development rates, metamorphosis and time spent in the plankton (O'Connor et al, 2009;Gerber et al, 2014). Recently, Meerhoff et al (2020) showed the influence of seasonal winds and associated ocean circulation patterns to larval connectivity of the mole crab Emerita brasiliensis. Local hydrodynamic regimes may have great potential to influence larval settlement.…”

Section: The Swash Exclusion Hypothesis and The Habitat Harshnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Densities of the Ghost Crab Ocypode quadrata Related to Large Scale Human Modification of Sandy Shores

et al. 2021

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Sandy beaches are the most common ecosystems of coastal regions and provide direct and indirect essential services for millions of people, such as coastal protection, fishing, tourism, and recreational activities. However, the natural habitats of sandy shores are being modified at rates never experienced before, making beaches key monitoring sites of marine ecosystems worldwide. The ghost crab species Ocypode quadrata is the most conspicuous crustacean of sandy beaches along the Western Atlantic coast and has been successfully used as an indicator of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental variability. To investigate the potential role of a “triple whammy” [(1) urbanization; (2) use of resources; (3) decreasing resilience] on the most common bioindicator of sandy shores, we compiled a dataset including 214 records of burrows density from 94 microtidal sandy beach sectors covering a range of over 65° of latitude. The response of burrows density to synergetic effects of human modification of natural systems and environmental changes was investigated using linear models. We used the cumulative Human Modification (HMc) index, a standardized geographic projection of changes of natural systems, as a predictor of urbanization, industrialization and use of resources. The predictor wave energy, tidal range and temperature (sea surface and air) were included as potential effects of climate changes. Literature review showed records mainly concentrated at sub-tropical and temperate regions. HMc values were clearly negatively related to burrows density, thereby supporting an effect of modification of natural habitat at large spatial scale. Sea surface temperature and air temperature were positive related with density and the lack of a general pattern of the relationship between burrows density, interactions between wave energy and tide range, supported unclear patterns reported at regional scales. Finally, we argue that ghost crabs are valuable targets for protection actions on sandy beaches that can benefit coexisting species and provide natural habitat conservation.

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Assessment of larval connectivity in a sandy beach mole crab through a coupled bio-oceanographic model

Cited by 7 publications

References 59 publications

Unravelling the role of local and large-scale factors in structuring sandy beach populations: the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus

Unravelling the role of local and large-scale factors in structuring sandy beach populations: the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus

Nephrops norvegicus in the Adriatic Sea: Connectivity modeling, essential fish habitats, and management area network

Low Densities of the Ghost Crab Ocypode quadrata Related to Large Scale Human Modification of Sandy Shores

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