Macrobenthic invertebrate responses to prolonged drought in South Africa's largest estuarine lake complex

MacKay, Fiona; Cyrus, D. P.; Russell, Kylie

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2009.11.011

Cited by 74 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Considering that P. sidneyi is an opportunistic feeder, it may feed more upon these aquatic invertebrates during the wet summer months. In the dry autumn/winter period, MPB and detritus are probably more pronounced in the crab diet due to the reduced numbers of aquatic invertebrates available during this time (MacKay et al, 2010). During the autumn/winter months productivity is low due to lack of rainfall, freshwater inflow, low temperatures and light availability (Anandraj et al, 2008;Whitfield and Taylor, 2009;Lawrie and Stretch, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A stable isotopic study of the diet of <i>Potamonautes sidneyi</i> (Brachyura: Potamonautidae) in two coastal lakes of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Peer

Perissinotto

Miranda

et al. 2015

WSA

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Potamonautes sidneyi Rathbun 1904, is a dominant freshwater crab in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Recent flood events in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park have allowed a substantial range expansion of this species, including previously hypersaline and desiccated areas. A stable isotope study was conducted to examine the feeding habits of the populations from Lake Sibaya and Mpophomeni Stream, two contrasting sites in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Juveniles from Mpophomeni Stream were more depleted in δ 13 C and more enriched in δ 15 N compared to adults, indicating a more carnivorous diet and higher trophic position. A general shift in diet was observed at both sites, with consumption of aquatic invertebrates and sedimentary organic matter more prevalent in the wet summer months, while greater proportions of detritus and microphytobenthos were consumed in autumn/winter. No significant difference was observed between adults from the two sites despite the abiotic variations. The species appears to play a complex role in the trophic web, by acting as an intermediate consumer facilitating the flow of nutrients across levels and by breaking down decomposing organic matter, allowing for rapid recycling of nutrients within its ecosystem.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A stable isotopic study of the diet of <i>Potamonautes sidneyi</i> (Brachyura: Potamonautidae) in two coastal lakes of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Peer

Perissinotto

Miranda

et al. 2015

WSA

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“…Alternatively, meiofauna responses may depend on life history. A reduction in macrofauna of marine origin or in fauna that depend on the sea to complete their development have been reported in estuarine systems that remain closed for long time (Dye and Barros, 2005a;McKay et al, 2010;Vivier et al, 2010). Since most meiofauna is of marine origin (Warwick, 1971), the degree of isolation might lead to important differences between assemblages from open/close and permanently open estuarine systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Meiobenthic communities in permanently open estuaries and open/closed coastal lagoons of Uruguay (Atlantic coast of South America)

Kandratavicius¹,

Muñiz²,

Venturini³

et al. 2015

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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“…The overall dominance of M. ambiseta, an equilibrium species, at all stations in both bays implies that the system is generally stable or returns to stability relatively quickly post-disturbance. Similarly, in the St. Lucia Estuary in southern Africa, a core group of macrobenthic taxa persists during prolonged hypersalinity, serving to maintain ecosystem function under high levels of environmental variability (MacKay et al 2010). Although these benthic communities have proven resilient to past disturbances, future degradation of these habitats due to coastal and water resource development may increase their vulnerability to climate variability and disturbance events.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Estuaries in these regions are susceptible to more frequent or longer-term closures of tidal inlets due to reduced freshwater flow, which may obstruct diadromous fish and crustacean migration and decimate resident communities (Schlacher & Wooldridge 1996, Peirson et al 2002, Whitfield et al 2008. Resilience of macrobenthic communities to droughts in these regions can be compromised by anthropogenic activities that reduce freshwater inflow (MacKay et al 2010). Along the Texas coast in the USA there are significant correlations between global climate signals and local salinity patterns (Tolan 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term trends in the response of benthic macrofauna to climate variability in the Lavaca-Colorado Estuary, Texas

Pollack¹,

Palmer²,

Montagna³

2011

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Long-term trends in the response of benthic macrofauna to hydrological conditions were examined in the Lavaca-Colorado Estuary, Texas. Four stations representing a range of salinities in the Lavaca-Colorado Estuary were sampled quarterly for benthic macrofauna and hydrography from April 1988 to October 2008. The relationship between climate variability and local salinity patterns and benthic populations was investigated using the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and North Pacific Index (NPI). Mean salinity declined during the 20 yr study period. Observed changes in salinity were related to river discharge and the ONI because there were more El Niño events in the first half of the study period relative to the second half. Benthic macrofaunal abundance was significantly correlated with salinity, the ONI and the NAO, indicating that global climate variability and the resulting effects on local salinity patterns are important factors shaping benthic macrofaunal communities. There was no significant linear trend in temperature over time, and negative correlations between individual taxa and temperature were likely due to seasonality. While drivers other than physical hydrological factors can obviously affect benthic macrofaunal communities, strong connections between global climate signals, precipitation, and local salinity patterns provided the most plausible mechanistic connection between climatic variability and benthic macrofaunal response in the estuary. An increasingly unstable climate may lead to potentially strong effects in estuarine ecosystems because stability is known to affect diversity and productivity. The vulnerability of estuarine ecosystems to the effects of climate variability will be exacerbated as human population growth and water resource development continues to increase the demand for and stress on coastal and marine resources.

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Macrobenthic invertebrate responses to prolonged drought in South Africa's largest estuarine lake complex

Cited by 74 publications

References 36 publications

A stable isotopic study of the diet of <i>Potamonautes sidneyi</i> (Brachyura: Potamonautidae) in two coastal lakes of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

A stable isotopic study of the diet of <i>Potamonautes sidneyi</i> (Brachyura: Potamonautidae) in two coastal lakes of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Meiobenthic communities in permanently open estuaries and open/closed coastal lagoons of Uruguay (Atlantic coast of South America)

Long-term trends in the response of benthic macrofauna to climate variability in the Lavaca-Colorado Estuary, Texas

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