Urbanization effects on sandy beach macrofauna along an estuarine gradient

Orlando, Luis; Ortega, Leonardo; Defeo, Omar

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.106036

Cited by 31 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Cardoso et al (2016) reported that despite having some infrastructure facilities, beaches with well-preserved backshore vegetation in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, supported higher densities of the sandhopper Atlantorchestoidea brasiliensis, a mobile crustacean typically found from the supralittoral to the upper midlittoral zone (Cardoso and Veloso, 2001;Gómez et al, 2013). Similarly, Orlando et al (2020) reported that macrofauna community richness is usually higher in areas with preserved vegetation on sandy shores. Therefore, it is expected that ghost crab conservation confers a "protection wave" to numerous coexisting species (beneficiary species "under the umbrella") (Simberloff, 1998;Fleishman et al, 2001), and can co-occur with the control of erosive processes through the maintenance of coastal vegetation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, we can have a preserved supralitoral zone of a beach sector located at a metropolitan area. Backshore vegetation is successfully used as a metric of natural habitat modification of sandy beaches (Schlacher et al, 2008;Orlando et al, 2020) and is an important habitat for O. quadrata, providing shelter, burrow stabilization, foraging area, and protection from storms (Lucrezi et al, 2010;Schlacher et al, 2011;Gül and Griffen, 2019). This is also true for other species of macrofauna.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Low Densities of the Ghost Crab Ocypode quadrata Related to Large Scale Human Modification of Sandy Shores

et al. 2021

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Sandy beaches are the most common ecosystems of coastal regions and provide direct and indirect essential services for millions of people, such as coastal protection, fishing, tourism, and recreational activities. However, the natural habitats of sandy shores are being modified at rates never experienced before, making beaches key monitoring sites of marine ecosystems worldwide. The ghost crab species Ocypode quadrata is the most conspicuous crustacean of sandy beaches along the Western Atlantic coast and has been successfully used as an indicator of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental variability. To investigate the potential role of a “triple whammy” [(1) urbanization; (2) use of resources; (3) decreasing resilience] on the most common bioindicator of sandy shores, we compiled a dataset including 214 records of burrows density from 94 microtidal sandy beach sectors covering a range of over 65° of latitude. The response of burrows density to synergetic effects of human modification of natural systems and environmental changes was investigated using linear models. We used the cumulative Human Modification (HMc) index, a standardized geographic projection of changes of natural systems, as a predictor of urbanization, industrialization and use of resources. The predictor wave energy, tidal range and temperature (sea surface and air) were included as potential effects of climate changes. Literature review showed records mainly concentrated at sub-tropical and temperate regions. HMc values were clearly negatively related to burrows density, thereby supporting an effect of modification of natural habitat at large spatial scale. Sea surface temperature and air temperature were positive related with density and the lack of a general pattern of the relationship between burrows density, interactions between wave energy and tide range, supported unclear patterns reported at regional scales. Finally, we argue that ghost crabs are valuable targets for protection actions on sandy beaches that can benefit coexisting species and provide natural habitat conservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Densities of the Ghost Crab Ocypode quadrata Related to Large Scale Human Modification of Sandy Shores

et al. 2021

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“…Diversos estudos têm demonstrado que o crescente grau de urbanização e intensidade de uso têm impactado negativamente os ambientes de praias arenosas no mundo inteiro, resultando em mudanças na estrutura da comunidade e redução nas densidades das espécies (Barros, 2001;Veloso et al, 2006;Ugolini et al, 2008;Defeo et al, 2009;Schlacher & Thompson, 2012;González et al, 2014;Schlacher et al, 2016;Laitano et al, 2019;Orlando et al, 2020). Nesse sentido, é provável que tais diferenças observadas no número de espécies e na densidade da macrofauna possam ser reflexos dos efeitos desse gradiente de urbanização e intensidade de uso ao longo desse arco praial.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Macroinfauna Intermareal Das Praias Arenosas Do Litoral De Aracaju, Sergipe, Região Nordeste Do Brasil = Intertidal Macroinfauna of the Aracaju Sandy Beaches, Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil

Rosa

2021

Bol. Lab. Hidrobiol.

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Praias arenosas são ambientes altamente dinâmicos que abrigam uma rica fauna adaptada às condições de instabilidade dos sedimentos. Nesse estudo, a estrutura e a composição da macrofauna de quatro praias arenosas do litoral de Aracaju (Sergipe, NE do Brasil) foram analisadas. As praias foram classificadas, em sua maioria, como dissipativas. O número total de espécies variou entre 14 e 17 espécies, enquanto que a densidade média total variou entre 65,50±9,29 e 169,50±30,52 indivíduos/m², sendo o bivalve Donax gemmula e os poliquetas Hemipodia californiensis e Orbinia sp. as espécies mais abundantes. Diferenças observadas na macrofauna provavelmente refletem os diferentes graus de urbanização e/ou intensidade de uso das praias analisadas. Quando comparado com outras praias do litoral sudeste e sul do Brasil, os valores de riqueza de espécies foram semelhantes, no entanto, os valores de densidade foram extremamente baixos, corroborando com o padrão latitudinal o qual prediz uma redução na abundância das espécies de zonas temperadas em direção à zona tropical.ABSTRACTSandy beaches are highly dynamics environments which harbor a rich fauna adapted to sediment instability. In this study, the number of species and the density of the intertidal macrofauna of the four sandy beaches of the Aracaju coast (Sergipe, NE Brazil) were analyzed. The beaches were classified as dissipative. The number of species ranged from 14 to 17 species, whereas total density ranged from 65.50±9.29 to 169.50±30.52 individuals/m². The bivalve Donax gemmula and the polychaete Hemipodia californiensis and Orbinia sp. were the most abundant species. Observed differences in the intertidal macrofauna probably reflect the different urbanization levels and/or intensity of use of the analyzed beaches. When compared to others beaches of the southern/south region of the Brazil, the number of species values were quite similar. However, density values were extremely lower, corroborating with previous latitudinal patterns, where decrease in the macrofauna abundance from temperate to tropical beaches are expected.

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“…Although the trends are consistent across species, there have been exceptions: Not all the differences between controls and light pollution treatments have been significant. Only two studies have addressed the effects of light pollution on sandy beach communities located in Wales (Garratt et al, 2019) and Uruguay (Orlando et al, 2020). While species diversity increased with light pollution in some sites (Garratt et al, 2019) it declined in others (Orlando et al, 2020).…”

Section: Sandy Beaches and Resident Invertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only two studies have addressed the effects of light pollution on sandy beach communities located in Wales (Garratt et al, 2019) and Uruguay (Orlando et al, 2020). While species diversity increased with light pollution in some sites (Garratt et al, 2019) it declined in others (Orlando et al, 2020). Garratt et al (2019) also documented a handful of other responses to light pollution stress: an increase in overall biomass, a change in species composition but a lack of effects on overall abundance and dominance.…”

Section: Sandy Beaches and Resident Invertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Casting a light on the shoreline: The influence of light pollution on intertidal settings

Lynn

Quijón

2022

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Light pollution is becoming prevalent among other coastal stressors, particularly along intertidal habitats, arguably the most exposed to anthropogenic light sources. As the number of light pollution studies on sandy beaches, rocky shores and other intertidal habitats raises, commonalities, research gaps and venues can be identified. Hence, the influence of light pollution on the behavior and ecology of a variety of intertidal macro-invertebrates and vertebrates are outlined by examining 54 published studies. To date, a large majority of the reported effects of light pollution are negative, as expected from the analysis of many species with circadian rhythms or nocturnal habits, although the severity of those effects ranges widely. Experimental approaches are well represented throughout but methodological limitations in measurement units and standardization continue to limit the proposal of general conclusions across species and habitats. In addition, studies targeting community variables and the explicit influence of skyglow are heavily underrepresented. Likewise, studies addressing the interaction between light pollution and other natural and anthropogenic stressors are critically needed and represent a key venue of research. The nature of those interactions (synergistic, additive, antagonistic) will likely dictate the impact and management of light pollution in the decades ahead.

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Urbanization effects on sandy beach macrofauna along an estuarine gradient

Cited by 31 publications

References 45 publications

Low Densities of the Ghost Crab Ocypode quadrata Related to Large Scale Human Modification of Sandy Shores

Low Densities of the Ghost Crab Ocypode quadrata Related to Large Scale Human Modification of Sandy Shores

Macroinfauna Intermareal Das Praias Arenosas Do Litoral De Aracaju, Sergipe, Região Nordeste Do Brasil = Intertidal Macroinfauna of the Aracaju Sandy Beaches, Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil

Casting a light on the shoreline: The influence of light pollution on intertidal settings

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