Functional changes in benthic macrofaunal communities along a natural gradient of hypoxia in an upwelling system

Bon, Melanie; Grall, Jacques; Gusmao, Joao B.; Fajardo, Maritza; Harrod, Chris; Pacheco, Aldo S.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112056

Cited by 22 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Furthermore, the RLQ analysis revealed that seasonal differences played a critical role in shaping the assemblage patterns of EPT FFGs in the Tsitsa River catchment. Seasonal heterogeneity of hydromorphological regimes is a fundamental process shaping stream communities ( Bon et al, 2021 ; Mathers, Rice & Wood, 2017 ). Seasonal differences in precipitation and run-offs can influence hydrological and sedimentation dynamics in rivers, thereby affecting the aquatic community distribution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional groups of Afrotropical EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) as bioindicators of semi-urban pollution in the Tsitsa River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Akamagwuna

Edegbene

Ntloko

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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We examined the distribution patterns of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera functional feeding groups (EPT FFGs) in five streams that drain semi-urban landscapes in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. We undertook macroinvertebrate and physicochemical analysis over four seasons between 2016 and 2017 at eight sites in three land-use categories (Sites 1, 2 and 3), representing an increasing gradient of semi-urban pollution. Five EPT FFGs (shredders, grazers/scrapers, predators, collector-gatherers and collector-filterers) were fuzzy coded and analyzed using RLQ-R (environmental characteristics of samples), L (taxa distribution across samples) and Q (species traits) and fourth-corner analyses. Physicochemical variables, including phosphate-phosphorus, total inorganic nitrogen and temperature, were the most influential variables that significantly influenced the distribution patterns of EPT FFGs in the Tsitsa River. RLQ and the fourth-corner model revealed varying responses of FFGs to semi-urban pollution. Of the five FFGs, collectors were the most abundant EPT FFGs in the study area, exhibiting disparate responses to disturbances, with collector-gatherers associated with impacted sites and significantly associated with phosphate-phosphorus. On the other hand, collector-filterers decreased with increasing semi-urban disturbance and exhibited a significant negative association with phosphate-phosphorus, total inorganic nitrogen and temperature. Overall, this study provides further insights into the environmental factors that influence the distribution patterns of FFGs in Afrotropical streams and the potential use of FFGs as indicators of anthropogenic pollution in tropical streams and rivers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional groups of Afrotropical EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) as bioindicators of semi-urban pollution in the Tsitsa River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Akamagwuna

Edegbene

Ntloko

et al. 2022

PeerJ

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“…Faunal responses to organic matter concentrations are essentially a response to changes in nutrient pathways, feeding modes and physiological tolerance mechanisms to the decreasing oxygen availability associated with this type of disturbance ( Souza et al, 2013 ; Bon et al, 2021 ). Consequently, organically enriched environments tend to be dominated by more generalist and opportunistic taxa or r-strategist guilds, which are physiologically more resistant to oxygen deprivation ( Pearson & Rosenberg, 1978 ; Cardell, Sardà & Romero, 1999 ; Brauko et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macrobenthic community responses to multiple environmental stressors in a subtropical estuary

Souza

Gilbert

Brauko

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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We assessed how multi- and univariate models reflect marine environmental health based on macrobenthic community responses to three environmental stressor categories: hydrodynamics, organic enrichment and metal contamination. We then compared the models with the benthic index AMBI (AZTI Marine Biotic Index). Macrobenthic community and physicochemical variables were sampled at 35 sites along Babitonga Bay, a subtropical estuary in Southern Brazil. Distance-based linear modelling identified depth, grain size and organic matter as well as Cu and Zn as key stressors affecting the macrobenthos. Using canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP), we developed three multivariate models based on the variability in community composition, creating stress gradients. The metal gradient showed better correlation with the benthic community. Sediment quality indices (Geoaccumulation Index and Contamination Factor) showed a low to moderate contamination status, with higher concentrations for Cr, Ni and Zn at the inner areas of the bay. According to AMBI, Babitonga Bay has a “good” environmental health status, and the AMBI values show stronger correlations with the hydrodynamic and organic enrichment gradients (r = 0.50 and r = 0.47) rather than the metal gradient (r = 0.29). Lumbrineridae polychaetes (not included in the AMBI list) and Scoloplos sp. were negatively related to the metal contamination gradient and were considered sensitive, while Sigambra sp., Magelona papillicornis, the gastropod Heleobia australis and species of the crustacean order Mysida were positively related to the gradient and considered tolerant to higher concentrations of metals in the sediment. Despite the inconsistency in the ecological classification provided by AMBI and its relationship with the metal gradient, our results suggest that the environmental quality was satisfactory for the studied gradients. The metal gradient showed the weakest correlation to AMBI. In such cases, the ecological classification of taxa by the index should be evaluated under the perspective of the action of inorganic genotoxic contaminants represented by metals.

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“…Benthic fauna is important in terms of ecology services. It is mainly primary consumers that are important for the biological cycling of vital food, contributing to the food chain of a marine ecosystem (Angsupanich, Chiayvareesajja, and Chandumpai, 1999;Bon et al, 2021). Along with a high rate of shipping operations, the family diversity of benthic fauna was high at the Songkhla port.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Benthic fauna (benthic macroinvertebrates) has a vital and important role in maintaining the balance and integrity of a lagoon ecosystem (Lloret and Marine, 2011). In addition, it acts as the primary consumer in the trophic level that links producers and higher consumers, making it a huge source of food for aquatic animals (Bon et al, 2021;Merritt, Cummins, and Berg, 2008). Many species help in the circulation of minerals, oxygen, and nutrients in the aquatic ecosystem as consumers of plant debris (Gray and Elliot, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The patterns of marine organism populations would be affected by environmental factors, such as temperature gradient, salinity, and water circulation (Carvalho et al, 2005;Yan et al, 2020); therefore, global warming could strongly affect not only the physicochemical environment but also the marine communities. Recently, increased attention has been directed toward macrofaunal communities in marine coastal areas (Bon et al, 2021;Mulik et al, 2017;Xu et al, 2018;Yan et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relationship between Salinity and Benthic Fauna Diversity and Abundance at Songkhla Port, Thailand

Jombodin

Songkai

Wichachucherd

et al. 2021

Journal of Coastal Research

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Benthic fauna plays an important role in marine ecosystems as the primary food for other aquatic animals, and this animal group helps reduce sediment nutrients by filter feeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate and explain the diversity and abundance of the benthic fauna community at the Songkhla port, where both human activities and environmental fluctuations affect this community. Benthic fauna and water samples were collected at 2-month intervals from January to November 2017. The results show that most physical parameters had wide ranges and varied by month. The benthic fauna in the Songkhla lagoon was observed in this study. The results showed a higher number of taxa compared with a previous study. Three phyla, namely, Annelida, Arthropoda, and Mollusca, had 25 taxa recorded in this study. Crustaceans were the most diverse (nine taxa) and abundant (2981 6 313 ind/m 2 ) group, followed by polychaetes (eight families, 2350 6 288 ind/m 2 ) and mollusks (eight taxa, 633 6 200 ind/m 2 ). Barnacles were the dominant group of crustaceans (2153 6 758 ind/m 2 ), whereas Serpulidae (1864 6 647 ind/m 2 ) and Mytilidae (447 6 367 ind/m 2 ) were the dominant families of polychaetes and mollusks, respectively. Cluster analysis showed that the distribution of benthic fauna and physicochemical water quality varied with similar patterns. Clustering gave two groups: for rainy season from November to January and for dry season from May to November. According to canonical correspondence analysis, salinity and transparency were the main environmental factors associated with the distribution pattern of benthic fauna in the area. In conclusion, the activities at the Songkhla port have not yet created problems for marine benthic fauna; instead, seasonal changes appear to drive changes in benthic fauna. However, future construction developments can affect the geographical area, complementing stresses from parameter changes at local scales.

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Functional changes in benthic macrofaunal communities along a natural gradient of hypoxia in an upwelling system

Cited by 22 publications

References 66 publications

Functional groups of Afrotropical EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) as bioindicators of semi-urban pollution in the Tsitsa River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Functional groups of Afrotropical EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) as bioindicators of semi-urban pollution in the Tsitsa River Catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Macrobenthic community responses to multiple environmental stressors in a subtropical estuary

The Relationship between Salinity and Benthic Fauna Diversity and Abundance at Songkhla Port, Thailand

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