Effects of warming on biological interactions between clams and the seagrass Zostera noltei: A case study using open top chambers

Román, Salvador; Vázquez, Elsa; Román, Marta San; Viejo, Rosa M.; Wethey, David S.; Troncoso, Jesús Souza; Olabarria, Celia

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2022.108027

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Postspawning exhaustion, often reported to occur in R. decussatus [5,23,24,28], was also observed in R. philippinarum in laboratory experiments [51,53]. Thus, heatwaves can be expected to cause significant mortality levels in R. philippinarum and R. decussatus if they occur immediately after intensive spawning events; however, the presence of seagrass (e.g., Z. noltei) buffers the increase in sediment temperature caused by exposure to solar radiation during emersion [65,66], thus helping to mitigate the thermal stress in some species, such as R. decussatus [65]. Furthermore, this interaction may have other positive effects, such as allowing clams to burrow to shallower depths below Z. noltei [66], which implies less energy expenditure [43].…”

Section: Discussion: Consequences For Shellfisheriesmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Groups comprising 12 specimens of R. decussatus and 13 specimens of R. philippinarum were then placed in half of the boxes, i.e., eight boxes with bare sediment and eight with Z. noltei cover. To increase the temperature (up to 8 • C in air and 3 • C in the sediment surface), 16 coneshaped structures were placed over half of the experimental boxes, and the temperature variations were recorded (for further details, see [65]). Measured variables were some physiological parameters of Z. noltei (photosynthetic efficiency, carbohydrate reserves, above and belowground biomass, and nutrient contents) and clam growth was measured as shell length.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonetheless, interspecific interactions can help to mitigate effects of environmental stress. This is the case of seagrass meadows that cover areas of shellfish beds to some extent, favouring climate mitigation and coastal system resilience ( [65]), and enhancing the productivity of fisheries (e.g., [64]). For example, the intertidal seagrass Zostera noltei Hornemann, can have positive effects on the physiological performance of bivalves exposed to thermal stress during emersion [65] and can reduce the risk of predation in stressed bivalves [66].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is the case of seagrass meadows that cover areas of shellfish beds to some extent, favouring climate mitigation and coastal system resilience ( [65]), and enhancing the productivity of fisheries (e.g., [64]). For example, the intertidal seagrass Zostera noltei Hornemann, can have positive effects on the physiological performance of bivalves exposed to thermal stress during emersion [65] and can reduce the risk of predation in stressed bivalves [66]. Due to the positive effects of these interactions, seagrass conservation and management actions within shellfish beds may help to mitigate the effects of climate change on this commercially important resource.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Risks Associated with Extreme Climate Events in Small-Scale Bivalve Fisheries: Conceptual Maps for Decision-Making Based on a Review of Recent Studies

Domínguez

Olabarria

Vázquez

2023

JMSE

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Extreme climate events, such as heatwaves and torrential rain, affect the physiology and functioning of marine species, especially in estuarine habitats, producing severe ecological and socioeconomic impacts when the affected species support important fisheries, such as artisanal shellfisheries. Studies of the impact of sudden decreases in salinity and increases in temperature were reviewed with the aim of producing comprehensive conceptual maps to aid the management of fisheries of the native clams Ruditapes decussatus and Venerupis corrugata, the introduced Ruditapes philippinarum, and the cockle Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain). The maps show the effects on mortality, scope for growth, ability to burrow, changes in gonad development or predation risk. While V. corrugata will generally be more affected by low salinity (5 to 15) or high temperature (30 °C) during only two tidal cycles, C. edule populations may recover. Both species are also expected to become more vulnerable to predators. The clams R. philippinarum and R. decussatus will be more resistant, unless extreme events occur after massive spawning episodes; however, the presence of the intertidal seagrass Zostera noltei may buffer the negative effects of high sediment temperature on the growth of some species, such as R. decussatus. Finally, recommendations for assessing climate risk and designing management actions for shellfisheries are given.

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Section: Discussion: Consequences For Shellfisheriesmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Assessment of Risks Associated with Extreme Climate Events in Small-Scale Bivalve Fisheries: Conceptual Maps for Decision-Making Based on a Review of Recent Studies

Domínguez

Olabarria

Vázquez

2023

JMSE

Self Cite

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“…These modifications, however, can occur in different directions, either enhancing or buffering unfavorable conditions for clam juveniles, through processes of antagonism or synergy. This is especially important under a climate change scenario, since seagrasses can reduce sediment temperature inside meadows compared to adjacent areas of bare sediment, and thus buffer negative effects of rising temperatures and heatwaves on clam growth and survival (Romań et al, 2022b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the newly emerging effects of native seagrasses on survival and growth of non-native juvenile clams

Galván,

Puente

2023

Front. Mar. Sci.

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The Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) has been introduced into the Atlantic European coast for commercial exploitation. In this region, the population dynamics of this clam species may be determined by the interaction with the native dwarf eelgrass (Zostera noltei). We performed an experiment in the tidal flats of an estuary located in northern Spain to analyse the interaction between Z. noltei and juvenile Manila clams. Based on existing knowledge, it was hypothesised that seagrasses act as a nursery protecting juveniles from predation, which is an important cause of natural mortality, and that seagrass density influences the survival, growth and condition of clams. The results indicate that the effects of seagrasses on juvenile clams depends on shoot density, which mainly determine the relative prevalence of positive versus negative interactions. Dense seagrass meadows protect juvenile clams from predation, likely decreasing their visibility and reducing the efficiency of predators. However, in these dense meadows, a decline in the condition of clams was also observed, although not in shell growth. This decline can be due to the fact that food supply in dense meadows is slow and does not fulfil the replenishment rates required by filter-feeding organisms or because competition for space with the seagrass causes stress. Clams are larger in populations where predator access is prevented, possibly indicating selective predation on larger organisms when this interaction is allowed. The knowledge gained from this experiment is of great interest for analysing possible future trends in clam populations and the derived social implications given its high economic value.

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Population structure and habitat assessment for two commercial clam species exploited in small-scale fisheries

Román

Olabarria

Weidberg

et al. 2023

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

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Small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in providing food and jobs in local communities worldwide. Nonetheless, their environmental impact remains poorly understood. To assess the effect of different levels of harvesting pressure on clam population dynamics, we selected three areas for study within each of three intertidal shellfish beds (in NW Spain) on the basis of historical harvesting pressure. The abundance (up to 149 ind m−2) of the introduced clam Ruditapes philippinarum of marketable size was much greater than that of the native R. decussatus (up to 20 ind m−2) in all three beds, which is consistent with the low level of recruitment of the native species. Our results suggest that the harvesting pressure did not significantly affect reproduction, which was asynchronous across beds, and that the reproductive period was longer in R. philippinarum than in R. decussatus. Nonetheless, the intertidal system was strongly affected by harvesting, as bare sediment was typical in frequently harvested areas, while sparse or dense patches of the seagrass Zostera noltei occurred in areas where harvesting pressure was scarce or null. The abundance and diversity of non-commercial infaunal species were greatest in unharvested areas. However, commercial clams were not abundant in these areas, possibly due to natural habitat preferences or artificial seeding and movement of clams along the beds. Management plans based on local knowledge of ecosystems are needed to maintain sustainable stocks of R. decussatus and also to limit the effects of harvesting on the systems.

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Effects of warming on biological interactions between clams and the seagrass Zostera noltei: A case study using open top chambers

Cited by 10 publications

References 85 publications

Assessment of Risks Associated with Extreme Climate Events in Small-Scale Bivalve Fisheries: Conceptual Maps for Decision-Making Based on a Review of Recent Studies

Assessment of Risks Associated with Extreme Climate Events in Small-Scale Bivalve Fisheries: Conceptual Maps for Decision-Making Based on a Review of Recent Studies

Exploring the newly emerging effects of native seagrasses on survival and growth of non-native juvenile clams

Population structure and habitat assessment for two commercial clam species exploited in small-scale fisheries

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