Interactions between macro-algal mats and invertebrates in the Ythan estuary, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Raffaelli, Dave

doi:10.1007/s101520050004

Cited by 72 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…This is mainly related to increased eutrophication. Similar algal mat blooms have been experienced along the east coast of Great Britain (Raffaelli 2000) and may have been accompanied there by similar increases in N. diversicolor abundance. No historical data are available for the site at Hamford Water in the present study, but it is tentatively suggested that increases in N. diversicolor abundance around the south-east coast of England and those countries bordering the southern North Sea are not unlikely.…”

Section: Laboratory Studiessupporting

confidence: 57%

Remedial habitat creation: does Nereis diversicolor play a confounding role in the colonisation and establishment of the pioneering saltmarsh plant, Spartina anglica ?

Emmerson¹

2000

Helgoland Marine Research

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Increasing concerns over global warming and expected sea level rises have led to the adoption of new coastal management strategies around the south-east coast of England. This paper explores the role played by the estuarine invertebrate Nereis diversicolor in limiting the colonisation and establishment of the invasive pioneering salt marsh plant, Spartina anglica. The biology of N. diversicolor is briefly reviewed and data from field experiments are presented demonstrating significant negative effects of worm abundance on transplanted S. anglica biomass. Laboratory-based experiments demonstrated significant negative effects of N. diversicolor abundance on the survival of S. anglica seeds transplanted to sediment cores. The importance of estuarine invertebrates in engineering the mudflat habitat may confound the foreseen ecosystem services and function provided by saltmarsh management schemes.

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Section: Laboratory Studiessupporting

confidence: 57%

Remedial habitat creation: does Nereis diversicolor play a confounding role in the colonisation and establishment of the pioneering saltmarsh plant, Spartina anglica ?

Emmerson¹

2000

Helgoland Marine Research

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“…Previous studies have suggested that the most relevant ecological relation between green macroalgae and the macroepifaunal community may be of a non-trophic nature, and based instead, on protection offered by the mats against predation (Aníbal, 1998). This hypothesis has also been described elsewhere (Thiel and Reise, 1993;Raffaelli, 2000). However, few studies have focused on the influence of surface morphological features on community structure associated with macroalgal blooms in tidal flats.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Mudflat surface morphology as a structuring agent of algae and associated macroepifauna communities: A case study in the Ria Formosa

Aníbal

Rocha

Sprung

2007

Journal of Sea Research

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Although mudflats seem relatively planar, closer inspection reveals a succession of meso-topographical features, including consecutive convex and concave meso-and micro-topographical features. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of meso-scale surface sediment morphology on the dynamics of the macroalgae Ulvales (Chlorophyta) and associated macroepifauna in the Ria Formosa tidal lagoon (Southern coast of Portugal). Sampling took place at four sites in the Ria Formosa with monthly periodicity. Two were located on convex sections (mounds) of the mudflat and the other two on concave sections (depressions)., Macroalgae and related macroepifauna were sampled at each station. Biomass was quantified by determination of the ash-free dry weight (AFDW). Data were analysed using the software package "PRIMER" (Plymouth Routines In Multivariate Ecological Research). Results show a clear distinction between convex and concave areas. In † deceased 2 convex sections, Enteromorpha dominated, to the point of being the only algal species present during part of the year. Conversely, biomass and dynamics of Enteromorpha and Ulva were almost the same in concave sections. The associated macroepifauna was also different in protruding or depression sections of the mudflat. In the convex areas, the macroepifauna population showed less diversity and was dominated by the snail Hydrobia ulvae. In concave areas, the species diversity was larger, but dominated in terms of biomass by the amphipod Melita palmata and the gastropod Nassarius pfeifferi. Results of the study indicate that the benthic communities associated with concave or convex features were different. No relevant differences in texture and sediment physico-chemical characteristics were found between convex and concave sections of the sampling sites. The inference is that the morphological nature of the bottom in tidal mudflats can act as a structuring agent of benthic communities.

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“…The deleterious effects these blooms have on the surrounding system while alive and following die-off have been studied extensively (e.g. Sfriso et al 1992, Raffaelli 2000, Hauxwell et al 2001, Cummins et al 2004, Nuzzi & Waters 2004.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fate of macroalgae in benthic systems: carbon and nitrogen cycling within the microbial community

Hardison

Canuel

Anderson

et al. 2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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High nutrient loading to coastal bays is often accompanied by the presence of bloomforming macroalgae, which take up and sequester large amounts of C and N while growing. This pool is temporary, however, as nuisance macroalgae exhibit a bloom and die-off cycle, influencing the biogeochemical functioning of these systems in unknown ways. The objective of this study was to trace the C and N from senescing macroalgae into relevant sediment pools. A macroalgal die-off event was simulated by the addition of freeze-dried macroalgae (Gracilaria spp.), pre-labeled with stable isotopes ( 13 C and 15 N), to sediment mesocosms. The isotopes were traced into bulk sediments and partitioned into benthic microalgal (BMA) and bacterial biomass using microbial biomarkers to quantify the uptake and retention of macroalgal C and N. Bulk sediments took up label immediately following the die-off, and macroalgal C and N were retained in the sediments for at least 2 wk. Approximately 6 to 50% and 2 to 9% of macroalgal N and C, respectively, were incorporated into the sediments. Label from the macroalgae appeared in both bacterial and BMA biomarkers, suggesting that efficient shuttling of macroalgal C and N between these communities may serve as a mechanism for retention of macroalgal nutrients within the sediments. KEY WORDS: Stable isotopes · Macroalgae · Benthic microalgae · Bacteria · Biomarker · Coastal eutrophication Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 414: [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] 2010 Studies of macroalgal bloom decay have demonstrated rapid breakdown of biomass, resulting in release of both inorganic and organic nutrients to the water column (Buchsbaum et al. 1991, Castaldelli et al. 2003, García-Robledo et al. 2008, supporting phytoplankton and bacterial metabolism , Nedergaard et al. 2002. Fewer studies have focused on macroalgal decay within the sediments (Nedergaard et al. 2002, Lomstein et al. 2006, Rossi 2007, García-Robledo et al. 2008, where heterotrophic bacterial densities are significantly higher than in the water column (Deming & Baross 1993, Schmidt et al. 1998, Ducklow 2000. In addition, most of the sediment studies have been conducted in low or no light environments, even though light is typically available to shallow sediments where macroalgal die-offs occur and sediment biogeochemistry is largely affected by benthic microalgal (BMA) activity (Underwood & Kromkamp 1999). While nutrients associated with senescent macroalgal blooms are recycled and can have a positive feedback on phytoplankton production in the water column, nutrients released during macroalgal decay in the sediments may support BMA and bacterial production, which could intercept the return of nutrients to the overlying water column. Thus if shallow-water sediments behave as a nutrient filter, the response by phytoplankton may be reduced, and benthic production could effectively buffer the system from further eutrophication. In order to be...

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Interactions between macro-algal mats and invertebrates in the Ythan estuary, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Cited by 72 publications

References 12 publications

Remedial habitat creation: does Nereis diversicolor play a confounding role in the colonisation and establishment of the pioneering saltmarsh plant, Spartina anglica ?

Remedial habitat creation: does Nereis diversicolor play a confounding role in the colonisation and establishment of the pioneering saltmarsh plant, Spartina anglica ?

Mudflat surface morphology as a structuring agent of algae and associated macroepifauna communities: A case study in the Ria Formosa

Fate of macroalgae in benthic systems: carbon and nitrogen cycling within the microbial community

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