Testing the application of the Systems Approach Framework (SAF) for the management of eutrophication in the Ria Formosa

The SAF (Systems Approach Framework) encompasses the ecological, social and economic components of coastal zones and aims to establish a permanent dialogue between scientists, stakeholders and policy makers working within European coastal zones for developing effective ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management). The objective of the present study is to test the application of the SAF for defining eutrophication management options in the Ria Formosa, Portugal. Stakeholders were identified and the issue of eutrophication was agreed upon. Having defined the virtual system, the conceptual model of the Ria Formosa was developed. The formulation of the conceptual model into a mathematical model representing the ecological, social and economic components of the system is then discussed. The linking variable of the three components within the simulation model, as well as the scenarios to be run are then explored. The role of scientists as facilitators within the deliberation process is discussed, and a format by which the final output package could be disseminated is suggested. This case study demonstrates how the SAF could successfully be applied to the management of eutrophication in the Ria Formosa. It also suggests ways in which this approach may be adapted to address unique coastal systems with specific system characteristics.     

Seagrass landscape-scale changes in response to disturbance created by the dynamics of barrier-islands: A case study from Ria Formosa (Southern Portugal)

This study documents long-term changes of a Zostera noltii landscape induced by a natural cyclic event in a coastal lagoon. The barrier-islands forming this system are very dynamic with drifting movements controlling ecological patterns and processes occurring in this area. Changes in the areal extent of the Z. noltii meadows were assessed using historical aerial photographs from 1940, 1980, 1989, 1996 and 1998. Landscape indices such as total patch area (TA), mean patch size (MPS), number of patches (NP), mean shape coefficient of variation (CV) and landscape fractal dimension (D) were calculated for each year and related to an index of disturbance intensity. The spatial distribution of the Z. noltii meadows varied greatly during the studied period and changes observed were related to the disturbance created by the barrier-islands' spatial dynamics. After an artificial inlet relocation the Z. noltii area, number of patches, patch mean size and coefficient of variation decreased. The fractal dimension of the Z. noltii landscape increased by 50% showing that besides a decrease in total area, number of patches, and patch mean area, patch fragmentation was an important consequence of this anthropogenic disturbance.Seagrass natural distribution patterns changed in response to natural and human-induced activities. This study emphasizes the importance of the landscape approach and the historical perspective when studying seagrass changes and the importance of taking into consideration long-term changes in seagrass landscapes to avoid confusion between man-induced effects with natural cyclic events.     

Impacts of urban wastewater discharge on seagrass meadows (Zostera noltii)

The abiotic disturbance of urban wastewater discharge and its effects in the population structure, plant morphology, leaf nutrient content, epiphyte load and macroalgae abundance of Zostera noltii meadows were investigated in Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, southern Portugal using both univariate and multivariate analysis. Four sites were assessed, on a seasonal basis, along a gradient from a major Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) discharge to a main navigation channel. The wastewater discharge caused an evident environmental disturbance through the nutrient enrichment of the water and sediment, particularly of ammonium. Zostera noltii of the sites closest to the nutrient source showed higher leaf N content, clearly reflecting the nitrogen load. The anthropogenic nutrient enrichment resulted in higher biomass, and higher leaf and internode length, except for the meadow closest to the wastewater discharge (270 m). The high ammonium concentration (158–663 μM) in the water at this site resulted in the decrease of biomass, and both the leaf and internode length, suggesting a toxic effect on Z. noltii. The higher abundance of macroalgae and epiphytes found in the meadow closest to the nutrient source may also affect the species negatively. Shoot density was higher at the nutrient-undisturbed site. Two of the three abiotic processes revealed by Principal Component Analysis were clearly related to the WWTW discharge, a contrast between water column salinity and nutrient concentration and a sediment contrast between both porewater nutrients and temperature and redox potential. A multiple regression analysis showed that these abiotic processes had a significant effect on the biomass-density dynamics of meadows and on the overall size of Z. noltii plants, respectively. Results show that the wastewater discharge is an important source of environmental disturbance and nutrients availability in Ria Formosa lagoon affecting the population structure, morphology and N content of Z. noltii. This impact is spatially restricted to areas up to 600 m distant from the WWTW discharge, probably due to the high water renewal of the lagoon.     

Reproduction of the eelgrass Zostera marina at the species southern distributional limit in the Eastern Atlantic

The plant reproductive effort, the seed germination rate and the seedling survival and development of Zostera marina (eelgrass) were assessed in four populations (Fuzeta, Culatra, Barrinha and Armona) at the species’ southern distribution limit in the Eastern Atlantic, the Ria Formosa lagoon. Germinated seeds were individually placed in Petri dishes with natural sandy sediments and kept in a culture chamber at the same temperature and salinity conditions as the natural environment. In addition, seeds from three different depths of Fuzeta population were cultivated in outdoor mesocosms. The populations of Fuzeta and Barrinha showed higher seed production and the seeds produced were heavier than the other populations. The germination of the seeds both in the laboratory and in the outdoor tanks began c. 8–12 weeks after the collection of the flowering shoots at a water temperature of 22 °C. The spontaneous germination in the laboratory (2.4–5.3%) and in the mesocosm experiment (5.6–8.9%) was low and from all the germinated seeds (n = 20) only three reached the seedling stage. The spontaneously germinated seeds from Fuzeta survived for a longer period than those from Barrinha, but only the germinated seeds of Barrinha reached the seedling stage (one‐leaf seedling stage). In outdoor tanks, higher seed germination and earlier seedling emergence (2 weeks after seeding) and survival (for 208 days) occurred for the seeds obtained from the shallow meadow. The reproductive effort of Z. marina populations of Ria Formosa showed that flowering shoots and seed traits are site‐specific. The low reproductive success indicated by the low germination and seedling survival suggests a bottleneck in the species’ reproductive cycle that may account for the scarce presence of the species in Ria Formosa lagoon. The high water temperatures of Ria Formosa in winter may partly explain this bottleneck. Increased temperatures due to climate change may reduce even further the sexual reproduction of Z. marina in its southern distributional limit in the Eastern Atlantic.     

Home range,residency and movements of Diplodus sargus and Diplodus vulgaris in a coastal lagoon: Connectivity between nursery and adult habitats

Acoustic telemetry and standard tag-recapture were used to determine the home range and residency of juveniles and sub-adults of Diplodus sargus and Diplodus vulgaris in the Ria Formosa (Portugal) coastal lagoon. Maximum time between recaptures for the standard tag-recapture method was 128 days for D. sargus and 30 days for D. vulgaris. The majority of the fish were recaptured in the vicinity of the tagging location. Fish tagged with acoustic transmitters had a maximum period of time between first and last detections of 62 days for D. sargus and 260 days for D. vulgaris. Minimum convex polygons areas ranged between 148?024 m² and 525?930 m² for D. sargus and between 23?786 m² and 42?134 m² for D. vulgaris. Both species presented a high residency index between first and last detections. Two D. sargus tagged with acoustic tags were recaptured by fishermen outside the coastal lagoon at distances of 12 km and 90 km from the tagging position, providing evidence that this species leaves the Ria Formosa during the winter time for the adjacent coastal waters. The results of this study reinforce the importance of Ria Formosa as a nursery for D. sargus and D. vulgaris in the south coast of Portugal.     

Population dynamics and production of the seagrass Zostera noltii in colonizing versus established meadows

The dynamics of the seagrass Zostera noltii in established and colonizing meadows were assessed in Ria Formosa lagoon, Southern Portugal. Shoot weight, above:belowground biomass ratio, flowering shoot density, meadow production, and biomass–density relationships were investigated. Results indicate that the species population dynamics differ clearly in different development stages of the meadows. The overall mean of flowering shoot density was five times higher in the colonizing (83 flowering shoots m⁻²) than in the established meadow (16 flowering shoots m⁻²), revealing a greater contribution of sexual reproduction during the species colonization process. The temporal variation of the biomass–density relationship in the colonizing meadow showed a cyclic seasonal trajectory, a wider range of data, and a simultaneous peak of biomass and density, suggesting no space limitations constraining the internal packing of shoots during the growing season. In the established meadow, density peaked before biomass in agreement to the dominant role of the clonal architecture of seagrasses in the configuration of closed meadows, suggesting the occurrence of self-thinning and/or regulation of ramet formation. Slope of the biomass–density relationships was similar in the established and colonizing meadows, generally suggesting similar nutritional conditions, regardless of their muddy and sandy sediments. Plants of the colonizing meadow invest mainly on the belowground fraction (above:belowground biomass ratio <1), as meadow expansion is mainly controlled by the elongation of horizontal rhizomes. The annual total production (1163 g C m⁻² year⁻¹) and the biomass turnover (34.8 year⁻¹) were also higher in this meadow, corroborating the high investment of the species during the meadow expansion. The faster biomass turnover of the colonizing meadow implies a more limited capacity to accumulate biomass, indicating a greater exportation of organic carbon and nutrients to the coastal area. The different biomass turnover rates suggest different trophic and structural roles of Z. noltii communities in established and colonizing meadows.     

广西潮间带海草的移植恢复

在总结作者近年来在广西沿岸开展海草移植恢复的实践经验的基础上,吸取了国外海草恢复的部分经验,从草源地选择、种类配置、恢复地选择与整理、草源采集与定植以及恢复后的监管措施等方面,论述了广西潮间带海草的移植恢复技术,以期为中国其他地区的潮间带海草恢复提供借鉴。在广西,矮大叶藻、喜盐草与贝克喜盐草是最适宜作为海草移植恢复的种类。相对根状茎移植法,草块移植法更适用于广西。草源地与恢复地的距离极大地影响恢复工程的人力物力成本。     

中国海草资源分布现状、退化原因与保护对策

海草床是三大典型的近海海洋生态系统之一,具有极高的生态服务功能。然而,截至2015年我国近海海草资源分布现状尚不明晰,严重制约了我国海草床保护与修复工作的开展。2015～2021年,笔者通过实地调查,借助船只走航、声呐探测、遥感等技术手段,重点对我国近海海草资源的分布面积、种类及主要威胁进行了全面普查,并据此提出我国海草床管理与可持续利用对策。结果表明,我国近海海域海草床面积共为26 495.69hm²,可划分为:温带海域海草分布区和热带-亚热带海域海草分布区;我国现有海草4科9属16种。其中,温带海域海草床面积为17 095.01 hm2,主要分布在辽宁、河北、天津和山东沿海,分布有2科3属5种,以鳗草(Zosteramarina)和日本鳗草(Z.japonica)为优势种,其中唐山乐亭-曹妃甸海草床面积达9 025.56 hm2,是我国面积最大的海草床;热带-亚热带海域海草床面积为9 400.68 hm2,主要分布在福建、广东、广西和海南沿海,分布有4科8属12种,以泰来草(Thalassia hemprichii)、海菖蒲(Enhalus acoroides...     

Long-term changes in fish communities of the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon (southern Portugal) based on two studies made 20 years apart

Fish communities of the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon (south Portugal) were sampled on a monthly basis with a beach seine at 4 sites, during two different time periods: 1980–1986 and 2001–2002. Community indices, species ranking and multivariate analysis were used in order to identify changes in the fish community between the two time periods. A total of 153,511 fish representing 57 taxa were recorded. Although species composition was very similar for both sampling periods, multivariate analysis performed on annual species abundance in number and weight revealed differences in fish community structure between the two periods. Structural changes in fish community were related mostly to a sharp decrease in the abundance of Mugilidae from 1980–1986 to 2001–2002. These changes were probably associated to a decrease in organic matter contents and nutrients concentrations due to improvements in sewage treatment and better water circulation inside the lagoon. The changes in fish community structure are more evident in the inner areas of the lagoon than near the inlet. The association between changes in sewage patterns and changes in the ichthyofaunal community structure reinforces the importance of fish communities as a biological indicator of human induced changes in marine systems.     

Population dynamics of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in Ria Formosa lagoon following inlet artificial relocation

The population dynamics of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa was investigated in three meadows differently affected by the artificial relocation of an inlet in the western sector of the Ria Formosa lagoon, southern Portugal. One meadow was subjected to increasing currents that caused erosion, another one was subjected to an initial episode of burial and a third meadow was undisturbed by the inlet opening. The hydrodynamic/sedimentary condition of meadows was assessed through comparative sediment analysis between the meadow and the adjacent unvegetated area.     

Site fidelity and movements of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) in a coastal lagoon (Ria Formosa, Portugal)

Short-time site fidelity and movements of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) in a coastal lagoon were determined using passive acoustic telemetry. Nine fish, ranging from 20.1 to 32.5 cm total length, were surgically implanted with acoustic transmitters and monitored for up to 179 days. Minimum convex polygon areas ranged from 18,698.6 m² to 352,711.9 m². Home range sizes were small, with individuals using core areas on a daily basis. However, these core areas shifted within the study site over time towards the opening to the sea. Two different diel behaviors were recorded, with some individuals more active at night and others during day time. Some individuals also demonstrated homing abilities, returning to the capture site after being released more than 4 km away.     

黄海镆铘岛海域海草床数量分布及其生态特征

海草床是近海三大典型海洋生态系统之一,具有巨大的碳储备功能,并为众多海洋生物提供重要的栖息场所及食物来源,在维持近岸海洋生态系统平衡中发挥着重要的作用。2016年8月通过对黄海镆铘岛海域的现场调查,发现分布面积为272.84 ha的海草床主要种类为鳗草(Zostera marina)和红纤维虾形草(Phyllospadix iwatensis)。鳗草的分布面积约为177.23 ha,占总面积的65%,主要分布在镆铘岛沿岸的海参养殖池中,红纤维虾形草的分布面积约为95.61 ha,占总面积的35%,主要分布在沿岸的礁石上,呈明显的带状分布。鳗草的平均株高为(86.8±5.8)cm,平均植株密度和生物量分别为(364.0±14.2)株/m~2和(528.7±20.5)gDW/m~2;红纤维虾形草的平均株高为(112.8±3.8)cm,平均植株密度和生物量分别为(3087.0±35.4)株/m~2和(2320.0±26.6)gDW/m~2。红纤维虾形草的分布水深为(1.80±0.04)m,海草床的水体溶解氧含量较高,达到(10.4±0.1)mg/L,分布有鳗草的海参池塘的底质粒径为(4.6±0.1)mm。结合历史资料,发现该海域海草床退化现象十分严重,这除了受自然环境变化的影响外,与过度的人类活动干扰有关。并提出了海草床修复与保护的建议和对策,可为进一步研究与保护该区域海草床生态系统提供基础。     

广东沿海新发现的海草床

通过对广东沿海水域的现场调查, 新发现8个海草床, 主要分布在柘林湾、汕尾白沙湖、惠东考洲洋、大亚湾、珠海唐家湾、上川岛、下川岛和雷州企水湾。海草种类主要包括喜盐草(Halophila ovalis)、贝克喜盐草(Halophila beccarii)和矮大叶藻(Zostera japonica)等3种。海草覆盖率为6.67%—53.33%, 茎枝密度为3 428.57— 10 542.00shoots.m-2, 生物量为12.86—118.24g.m-2。海草床底上生物密度为16.67—734.67ind.m-2, 生物量为15.39—426.88g.m-2, 多样性指数为0.46—1.98, 均匀度指数为0.28—0.89。海草床生境受到的严重威胁主要来自围海养殖(养蚝、养螺)、污水排放、渔民作业方式(电鱼、电虾、扒螺、挖贝类)、自然灾害(台风和洪水)等。     

基于高光谱的潮间带表层沉积物粒度参数空间分布规律研究

研究发现,Hyperion高光谱影像的中心波长为1215和2133nm的波段反射率组合与沉积物粒度参数(平均粒径、偏态和中值粒径)之间以及平均粒径和中值粒径之差与分选系数之间有显著的线性相关特征,据此构建了线性回归模型,反演并分析了江苏省射阳河口南侧潮滩沉积物粒度参数的空间分布规律。经独立样本的检验显示,粒度参数反演的总体平均相对精度和平均绝对精度分别在75.70%和72.17%以上。从粒度参数的空间分布来看,具有明显的空间变化特征,总体变化趋势为:平行于岸线走向由北向南颗粒逐渐变细,分选变差,偏态由近对称转为正偏;垂直于岸线走向从陆向海沉积物颗粒逐渐变粗,分选性变好,偏态由正偏转为近对称,但是在中潮位附近,沉积物颗粒粗细交替分布,平均粒径较大,分选性表现为大致由中潮位附近向海、向陆变差。这种变化趋势与研究区的水动力环境及沉积物物质来源吻合良好。     

Benthic nitrate biogeochemistry affected by tidal modulation of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) through a sandy beach face, Ria Formosa, Southwestern Iberia

To investigate both the role of tides on the timing and magnitude of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD), and the effect on benthic nitrogen biogeochemistry of nitrate-enriched brackish water percolating upwards at the seepage face, we conducted a study of SGD rates measured simultaneously with seepage meters and mini-piezometers, combined with sets (n = 39) of high resolution in-situ porewater profiles describing NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, Si(OH)₄ and salinity distribution with depth (0–20 cm). Sampling took place during two consecutive spring tidal cycles in four different months (November 2005, March, April and August 2006) at a backbarrier beach face in the Ria Formosa lagoon, southern Portugal. Our results show that the tide is one of the major agents controlling the timing and magnitude of SGD into the Ria Formosa. Intermittent pumping of brackish, nitrate-bearing water at the beach face through surface sediments changed both the magnitudes and depth distributions of porewater NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations. The most significant changes in nitrate and ammonium concentrations were observed in near-surface sediment horizons coinciding with increased fraction of N in benthic organic matter, as shown by the organic C:N ratio. On the basis of mass balance calculations executed on available benthic profiles, providing ratios of net Ammonium Production Rate (APR) to Nitrate Reduction Rate (NRR), coupled to stoichiometric calculations based on the composition of organic matter, potential pathways of nitrogen transformation were speculated upon. Although the seepage face occasionally contributes to reduce the groundwater-borne DIN loading of the lagoon, mass balance analysis suggests that a relatively high proportion of the SGD-borne nitrogen flowing into the lagoon may be enhanced by nitrification at the shallow (1–3 cm) subsurface and modulated by dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA).     

崇明东滩潮间带大型底栖动物的空间分布与历史演变

于2012年4—12月, 采用生态学的方法, 选择了崇明东滩潮间带的5条断面, 研究了大型底栖动物群落的空间分布现状。结果表明, 在崇明东滩共发现大型底栖动物40种, 其年均丰度为(210.30±93.56)ind/m2, 年均生物量为(74.07±16.03)g/m2, 生物多样性指数d、H′与J分别为1.81± 0.41、2.55±0.38、0.67±0.11。群落聚类和MDS分析表明南北断面存在较明显的差异。根据2000年和2006年的历史资料, 分析了底栖动物群落结构长期演变的过程和规律。结果显示, 东滩大型底栖动物群落的物种数、丰度和生物量均减少; 平均分类差异指数(?+)呈减小趋势, 而分类差异变异指数(?+)呈增加趋势, 反映了组成群落的物种之间亲缘关系越来越近。环境变化和人为干扰是导致群落结构趋于简单化的主要原因。     

Adaptation to metal toxicity: a comparison of hydrothermal vent and coastal shrimps

Rainbow vent field is one of the most metal‐contaminated hydrothermal sites on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge near the Azores region. Two hydrothermal shrimp species dominate the fauna at the Rainbow site along with the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus. Although the levels of essential and non‐essential metals in these shrimps have been studied, the biological consequences of a metal‐rich environment are still largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of metal‐binding proteins – metallothioneins (MT) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes – superoxide dismutase, catalase, total glutathione peroxidase and selenium‐dependent glutathione peroxidase in two hydrothermal vent shrimps (Mirocaris fortunata and Rimicaris exoculata) collected from the Rainbow site and to compare them with two coastal shrimps (Palaemon elegans and Palaemonetes varians) from a south Portugal lagoon (Ria Formosa) to evaluate their different adaptation strategies towards metals in their environment. Results show significant differences in MT levels and antioxidant enzymatic activities between vent and coastal shrimps and also between shrimp species collected from the same site. This suggests that biochemical responses in both vent and coastal shrimps are affected not only by the environmental characteristics but also by inter‐specific differences. Nevertheless, these responses apparently confer successful adaptation for survival in a metal‐extreme environment.