Overexploiting marine ecosystem engineers: potential consequences for biodiversity

Coleman, Felicia C.; Williams, Susan L.

doi:10.1016/s0169-5347(01)02330-8

Cited by 353 publications

(211 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Mass removal of this fauna could have devastating effects on local biodiversity (Coleman andWilliams 2002, Abdo 2007). Trawling and dredging activities are the main causes of loss of erect and sessile epifauna (National Research Council 2002, Bremec et al 2000.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<i>Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica</i> (Porifera: Demospongiae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: endobiotic fauna and new distributional information

Schejter¹,

Chiesa²,

Doti³

et al. 2011

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY: The composition of endobionts in the sponge Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica at the shelf-break, near 100 m depth, in the Argentine Sea was studied. We also provide new information on the distribution of M. (A.) magellanica, extending its northern limit to 38º36.02'S and 55º44.68'W, 91 m in the SW Atlantic Ocean. The main Patagonian scallop fishing grounds are located in the shelf-break frontal area of the Argentine Sea. In this area, M. (A.) magellanica plays an important role in providing habitat for at least 23 taxa of small invertebrates, mostly crustaceans (66% to 96% of the total number of individuals). On average, this sponge hosted 348 individuals per litre; Aristias cf. antarcticus (Amphipoda) was the most frequent and abundant species. Other organisms commonly found were the isopod Caecognathia sp., the amphipod Leucothoe cf. spinicarpa, the bivalve Hiatella meridionalis and the ophiuroid Ophiactis asperula. As previously demonstrated for other sponges, our study suggests that M. (A.) magellanica enhances benthic biodiversity, as it shelters a variety of invertebrate species. In areas of soft and flat substrate, erect and sessile epifauna usually acts as an ecosystem engineer, structuring the architecture of the habitat by increasing the sea-bottom complexity. Mass removal of this fauna due to intense trawling activities on Patagonian scallop beds could have devastating effects on local biodiversity.Keywords: Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica, sponge-invertebrate associations, benthic richness, Argentine Sea. RESUMEN: Mycale (aegogropila) Magellanica (Porifera: Demospongiae) en el Atlántico suroeste: fauna endobiótica y nuevos datos de su distribución. -Se estudió la composición de endobiontes de la esponja Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica, recolectada en el área del talud del Mar Argentino, a una profundidad promedio de 100 m. Se presenta también nueva información sobre la distribución de M. (A.) magellanica, extendiendo su límite norte hasta los 38º36.02'S y 55º44.68'W, 91 m en el Atlántico Sudoccidental. En el Mar Argentino, los principales bancos de vieira patagónica están situados en el borde externo de la plataforma, en el área frontal del talud. En esta región, M. (A.) magellanica juega un papel importante al proveer hábitat para al menos 23 taxones de invertebrados pequeños, en su mayoría crustáceos (66 al 96% del total de individuos). En promedio, esta esponja alberga 348 individuos por litro de esponja, siendo Aristias cf. antarcticus (Amphipoda) la especie más frecuente y abundante. Otros organismos hallados con frecuencia fueron el isópodo Caecognathia sp., el anfípodo Leucothoe cf. spinicarpa, el bivalvo Hiatella meridionalis y la ofiura Ophiactis asperula. Tal como se ha encontrado en otras esponjas, nuestros resultados sugieren que M. (A.) magellanica enriquece la biodiversidad local al proveer refugio a una gran variedad de invertebrados bentónicos. En áreas de sustrato blando, la epifauna eréctil y sésil estructura la arquitectura del hábitat, aumentando la complejidad del fond...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<i>Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica</i> (Porifera: Demospongiae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: endobiotic fauna and new distributional information

Schejter¹,

Chiesa²,

Doti³

et al. 2011

Sci. Mar.

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“…Margin habitats are noted for dense, high biomass aggregations of structure-forming species, such as coldwater coral (CWC) reefs and coral 'garden' habitats (Coleman and Williams, 2002;Roberts et al, 2006;Levin and Dayton, 2009;Buhl-Mortensen et al, 2010;De Leo et al, 2010). CWC structures provide shelter from predation for a variety of fauna and, as such, can act as nursery grounds for commercially important species (Koslow et al, 2000, Baillon et al, 2012Henry et al, 2013).…”

Section: Seafloor Ecosystem Changes Under Future Climate Change Scenamentioning

confidence: 99%

Major impacts of climate change on deep-sea benthic ecosystems

Sweetman

Thurber

Smith

et al. 2017

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene

282

297

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The deep sea encompasses the largest ecosystems on Earth. Although poorly known, deep seafloor ecosystems provide services that are vitally important to the entire ocean and biosphere. Rising atmospheric greenhouse gases are bringing about significant changes in the environmental properties of the ocean realm in terms of water column oxygenation, temperature, pH and food supply, with concomitant impacts on deep-sea ecosystems. Projections suggest that abyssal (3000-6000 m) ocean temperatures could increase by 1°C over the next 84 years, while abyssal seafloor habitats under areas of deep-water formation may experience reductions in water column oxygen concentrations by as much as 0.03 mL L -1 by 2100. Bathyal depths (200-3000 m) worldwide will undergo the most significant reductions in pH in all oceans by the year 2100 (0.29 to 0.37 pH units). O 2 concentrations will also decline in the bathyal NE Pacific and Southern Oceans, with losses up to 3.7% or more, especially at intermediate depths. Another important environmental parameter, the flux of particulate organic matter to the seafloor, is likely to decline significantly in most oceans, most notably in the abyssal and bathyal Indian Ocean where it is predicted to decrease by 40-55% by the end of the century. Unfortunately, how these major changes will affect deep-seafloor ecosystems is, in some cases, very poorly understood. In this paper, we provide a detailed overview of the impacts of these changing environmental parameters on deep-seafloor ecosystems that will most likely be seen by 2100 in continental margin, abyssal and polar settings. We also consider how these changes may combine with other anthropogenic stressors (e.g., fishing, mineral mining, oil and gas extraction) to further impact deep-seafloor ecosystems and discuss the possible societal implications.

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“…Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that assist in stabilizing the seafloor with their root systems and filtering or trapping harmful pollutants or particles derived from land. They are also ecosystem engineers (Jones et al 1994;Coleman and Williams 2002) since they develop the habitat structure and function of the system and therefore profoundly affect community structure, resulting in an ecosystem with high diversity and many processes, such as plant and animal production (Howard et al 1989;Duarte and Chiscano 1999). Fish and invertebrates use these habitats for foraging, protection against predators and as nursery grounds (Orth et al 1984;Bell and Pollard 1989;Nagelkerken et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in an East African social-ecological seagrass system: invertebrate harvesting affecting species composition and local livelihood

Nordlund

Erlandsson

Torre‐Castro

et al. 2010

Aquat. Living Resour.

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-Seagrass meadows support high biodiversity and are important for invertebrate harvesting activities in developing countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the social and ecological effects of invertebrate harvesting, i.e. how this exploitation may affect/has affected seagrass variables (biomass, shoot density and canopy height), macrofaunal community structure, the use and importance of these resources for the livelihood of local people over time. A multi-disciplinary approach was used, including interviews with harvesters, observations of the number/activities of invertebrate harvesters, and a biological field study in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The study showed that women/children harvest invertebrates, and they prefer large seagrass patches, high to medium shoot density, and high seagrass cover. All interviewees said they had noticed a decline in seagrass distribution over the last decade, >20% considered it a large decline. Interviewees also reported decreased numbers of animals, but no change in the number of animal species over the last decade. The main reasons for the decline of seagrass and animals according to interviewees, are an increase in the number of harvesters, and a change in attitude, i.e. people being less careful about the intertidal zone and seagrasses. Invertebrate harvesting was found important for food security and provision of cash income. The current average catch weight was ca. 2 kg/collection day/person, and 3 kg and 5 kg, 5-10 and 30 years ago respectively according to interviewees. At present, the harvesting women earn ca 60-70% and ca 40% of what they would have if catches were the same sizes as they were 5-10 and 30 years ago respectively, according to our calculations. The field sampling within seagrass beds showed that an inaccessible/remote site had significantly higher invertebrate abundance and species richness/diversity than an exploited site (ANOVA). Multivariate statistics further revealed weak but significant differences for animal abundance and biomass between these sites. By combining findings from both interviews and field sampling this study shows that invertebrate harvesters can influence macrofaunal community structure in seagrass meadows, which in turn results in negative impacts on local harvesters' economy and livelihood.

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Overexploiting marine ecosystem engineers: potential consequences for biodiversity

Cited by 353 publications

References 28 publications

<i>Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica</i> (Porifera: Demospongiae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: endobiotic fauna and new distributional information

<i>Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica</i> (Porifera: Demospongiae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: endobiotic fauna and new distributional information

Major impacts of climate change on deep-sea benthic ecosystems

Changes in an East African social-ecological seagrass system: invertebrate harvesting affecting species composition and local livelihood

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