The concept of an estuary: A definition that incorporates systems which can become closed to the ocean and hypersaline

Potter, I. C.; Chuwen, Benjamin M.; Hoeksema, Steeg D.; Elliott, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2010.01.021

Cited by 178 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Estuaries are defined by the hydrodynamics of freshwater and saltwater across geomorphic structure (Elliott and McLusky 2002;Potter et al 2010). Complex hydrodynamics affect nearly every aspect of the food web (Weissburg and Zimmer-Faust 1993;Kimmerer et al 1998;Kimmerer 2002;Jones et al 2009;Enright 2010, unreferenced, see "Notes").…”

Section: Food Web Diagrams Diagram 1-main Physical Driversmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Conceptual Model of the Aquatic Food Web of the Upper San Francisco Estuary

Durand¹

2015

SFEWS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Food Web Diagrams Diagram 1-main Physical Driversmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Conceptual Model of the Aquatic Food Web of the Upper San Francisco Estuary

Durand¹

2015

SFEWS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…They are located in arid and semiarid regions where the combination of high evaporation rates, poor oceanic circulation and a limited flow of freshwater results in salinities that frequently exceed 40 (Moyle & Cech, 2000), and sometimes exceeds 100 (William, 1998;Valdés & Real, 2004;Vega-Cendejas & Hernández, 2004;Whitfield et al, 2006). Therefore, they have a great influence on the abundance, richness, and diversity, among other population and community parameters of the organisms, and can even become a determining factor for their presence or absence (Day et al, 1989;Ishitobi et al, 2000;Blaber, 2002;VegaCendejas & Hernández, 2004;Potter et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal structure of fish assemblages in a hyperhaline coastal system: Ría Lagartos, Mexico

Peralta-Meixueiro¹,

Vega‐Cendejas²

2011

Neotrop. ichthyol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The spatial and temporal fish species assemblages were analyzed throughout two annual cycles (2004-2005 and 2007-2008) in the Ría Lagartos Lagoon system, Mexico, via non-parametric multivariate analyses. We compared density and biomass of fish species among five habitat types defined by combinations of structure and environmental characteristics (hyperhaline, rocky, seagrass, channel, and marine), and three climatic seasons (dry, rainy, and northerlies). A total of 11,187 individuals distributed in 32 families and 63 species were collected. The most numerically abundant species were Floridichthys polyommus and Cyprinodon artifrons, while Sphoeroides testudineus contributed to the greatest biomass. Species composition consisted mainly of estuarine and euryhaline marine species. Spatially, a saline gradient was observed with marine conditions in the mouth, and increasing to over 100 in the inner zone of the system. Species richness, diversity and biomass declined from the mouth to the inner zone, while density showed an inverse tendency, with the highest values in the inner zone. Thus the salinity was the variable that best explained the spatial fish assemblages' structure. The ichthyofauna composition did not change over time, but the dominant species varied with the years. The abundance of juvenile specimens, suggest that the different habitats are used as feeding and breeding zones; hence it is proposed that protection strategies be pursued not only for the lagoon system but also for the northern zone of the Yucatan Peninsula. Los ensamblajes espacio temporales de peces fueron analizados a través de dos ciclos anuales (2004-2005) y 2007-2008) en el sistema lagunar Ría Lagartos, México, vía análisis multivariados no paramétricos. Se comparó la densidad y biomasa de peces entre los cinco tipos de hábitats definidos por la combinación de características estructurales y ambientales (hiperhalino, rocoso, pastos, canal y marino) y tres temporadas climáticas (secas, lluvias y nortes). Un total de 11.187 individuos fueron recolectados, distribuidos en 32 familias y 63 especies. Las especies numéricamente más abundantes fueron Floridichthys poliommus y Cyprinodon artifrons, mientras que Sphoeroides testudineus contribuyó principalmente con la biomasa. La composición de especies consistió principalmente de especies marinas eurihalinas y estuarinas. Espacialmente, un gradiente de salinidad fue observado con condiciones marinas en la boca del sistema lagunar, incrementándose hacia la zona interna con valores superiores a 100. La riqueza de especies, diversidad y biomasa disminuyó desde la boca hacia la zona interna, mientras que la densidad mostró una tendencia inversa, con valores más altos en la zona interna. La salinidad fue la variable que mejor explicó la estructura espacial de los ensamblajes de peces. La composición de la ictiofauna no cambió en el tiempo, pero las especies dominantes varían con los años. La abundancia de especímenes juveniles sugiere que los diferentes hábitats son usados como zonas de alimentació...

show abstract

“…Microtidal systems, i.e. those with a tidal range \2 m, located in Mediterranean climate regions are particularly susceptible to degradation, due to their limited tidal water movement, highly seasonal rainfall and, in some cases, ephemeral connection to the ocean (Potter et al 2010;Tweedley et al 2016). These characteristics increase the residency time of water in the estuary and facilitate the trapping of fine sediments and contaminants (Patchineelam et al 1999;Tweedley et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Baseline survey of the fish fauna of a highly eutrophic estuary and evidence for its colonisation by Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study represents the first quantitative survey of the fish fauna of the highly eutrophic Vasse and Wonnerup estuaries, part of the Ramsar-listed Vasse-Wonnerup Wetland System in south-western Australia. Sampling at five sites in each of these estuaries occurred in January 2012 (austral summer) to provide a species inventory and determine whether the number of species, total density and fish community composition differed between the two water bodies. A total of 18,148 fish were recorded, representing six species across four families. Three species that can complete their life cycle within estuaries, i.e. the atherinids Lepthatherina wallacei and Atherinosoma elongata and the gobiid Pseudogobius olorum, dominated the fish fauna, accounting for [99% of all fish collected. No significant inter-estuary differences were observed in the mean number of species, mean total density or fish community composition. Although the fish community was depauperate in terms of the number of species, total density was high, reflecting the presence of permanent and seasonal barriers to the immigration of marine species into these estuaries and the highly productive nature of this system, respectively. Two introduced freshwater species, i.e. the Eastern Gambusia Gambusia holbrooki and the Goldfish, Carassius auratus, were recorded in the Vasse Estuary. As C. auratus was found in mesohaline conditions, individuals may be able to use the estuary as a 'saltbridge' to gain access to other tributaries and/or the Wonnerup Estuary, and thus expand their distribution. These findings are of concern given the potential deleterious biological and ecological effects of these alien species.

show abstract

The concept of an estuary: A definition that incorporates systems which can become closed to the ocean and hypersaline

Cited by 178 publications

References 34 publications

A Conceptual Model of the Aquatic Food Web of the Upper San Francisco Estuary

A Conceptual Model of the Aquatic Food Web of the Upper San Francisco Estuary

Spatial and temporal structure of fish assemblages in a hyperhaline coastal system: Ría Lagartos, Mexico

Baseline survey of the fish fauna of a highly eutrophic estuary and evidence for its colonisation by Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About