World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Monitoring and Evaluation of Spatially Managed Areas (MESMA)

Anke_Smit — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:26:24 -0700

"The seas around Europe are home to an exceptionally wide range of marine habitats while simultaneously supporting a variety of marine industries. ‘Multiple use' can cause problems between various user groups (economic interests versus conservation requirements), and there is also a great potential for degradation of the marine ecosystems themselves. Therefore a well-planned approach for spatial development is vital.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Ecosystem recovery: How long does it take?

Anke_Smit — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:22:02 -0700

A key question for any habitat manager dealing with a degraded landscape is how quickly will it recover? A recent metadata study looking at rates of recovery in over 240 long-term ecological datasets spanning the past 150 years concluded, ‘that most ecosystems can, (..), recover from very major perturbations on timescales of decades to half-centuries'. We critically re-analysed this dataset to demonstrate only 30% of the studies showed full recovery during the duration of the study.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Hidden habitat heterogeneity promotes biodiversity on continental margin

Lénaick_Menot — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:22:01 -0700

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Estimating the ecological impact of the invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans, in the Western Caribbean Sea (Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras) through gut content analysis

Astrid_Mejia — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:18:41 -0700

Mejia Martinez AY (Bay Islands Conservation Association, Honduras) ? Puncher GN (Roatan Marine Park, Honduras) ? Erzini K (Center of Marine Sciences, Portugal) ? Gonçalves JMS (Center of Marine Sciences, Portugal)

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Predicted levels of future ocean acidification and temperature rise could alter community structure and biodiversity in marine benthic communities

R_Hale — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:16:59 -0700

A mesocosm experiment was conducted to quantify the effects of pH and temperature on an intact marine invertebrate community. Standardised communities from the low intertidal zone were exposed to one of eight nominal treatments (four pH × two temperature levels). After 60 days exposure communities showed significant changes in structure and diversity. At higher pH levels elevated temperature treatments contained higher species abundances and diversity than the lower temperature treatments.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Biodiversity effects on mudflat ecosystem functioning and stability.

R_Hale — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:16:25 -0700

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

The tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus

Regina_Gabilondo-Toscano — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:13:55 -0700

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Marine Phylographic Structuring during Climate Change

andrelevy — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:13:01 -0700

Post-Glacial colonization of Northern regions in the Northern hemisphere by terrestrial animals have been extensively studied, and a cross-species analysis has revealed major routes and demographic patterns. Analogous comparisons for Atlantic marine species are undergoing. Preliminary comparisons across a variety of bentic inshore organisms, ranging from fish and invertebrates to algae, reveal a diversity of patterns of colonization of Northern boreal waters after the Last Glacial Maximum.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Developing and testing approaches for Marine Spatial Planning: the case of aquaculture

Lauren_McWhinnie — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:12:01 -0700

A fundamental goal of the Scottish Marine Bill is to streamline regulation and develop a new framework to coordinate and manage activities' around Scotland's coast. This study will evaluate and explore the application of different approaches, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to the development of a Scottish marine spatial planning framework, with a particular focus on decision-making for future aquaculture sites.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

How are they related? - Phylogenetic analyses of Ophryotrocha (Dorvilleidae: Polychaeta) species from different ocean basins

Helena_Wiklund — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:09:34 -0700

The polychaetes from the dorvilleid genus Ophryotrocha were previously considered to be shallow-water dwellers of organically enriched environments, but recent exploration of similar habitats in the deep sea have showed that the genus is not restricted to a certain depth. New species of Ophryotrocha have been found at whale-falls, cold seeps and hydrothermal vents as well as in sediments beneath fish farms, in the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Ocean and at depth spans from 30 m to below 1600 m.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

A Proposed Littoral Seaweed Project

Ruth_Crundwell — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:04:56 -0700

An initiative by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) named as ‘Citizen Science' aims to increase participation of the general public with science organisations. A Littoral Seaweed Project has been envisaged as a means of engaging communities to take more interest in a rocky shore that is close to them.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

A benthocosm facility as a new tool to investigate the combined role of biogeochemical and ecological processes in ecosystem functioning

Aurélia_Mouret — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:03:42 -0700

Sediment water interface is an important transition zone and is classically characterized by a well define oxic horizon with geochemical gradients. In reality, in coastal sediments, fauna activity and patchy distribution of organic matter introduce another level of complexity and initiate a heterogenic pattern of microzones. Thus the investigation of benthic processes and exchange rates needs to resolve temporal and spatial variations on different scales and requires the use of innovative approaches to investigate benthic ecosystems.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Marine Ecotourism and Environmental Education: Case for Urban Protected Areas

Taslim_Arifin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:03:06 -0700

Indonesian Archipelago is characterized with long coastline and thousands small islands and high marine biodiversity. These resources are amongst attractions to be offered as Indonesia targets tourism as one of country's main economic sector. Marine ecotourism in Indonesia is developing and becoming more popular for travellers, and marine protected areas are amongst places being more visited as ecotourism sites. Indonesia established marine protected areas throughout the country; many are located in the less developed remote areas that relatively far from urban activities.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Using Ocean Biogeographic Information System data in the CBD EBSA process

Ei_Fujioka — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:55:30 -0700

During the 9th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, a set of criteria were approved to assist in the identification of ‘Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas' (EBSAs; Annex I of CBD Decision IX/20). These criteria were later consolidated during the Expert Workshop on EBSAs held in the Azores, in October 2007. OBIS and OBIS SEAMAP data have obvious relevance to several of the criteria.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

High marine mammal species richness within a small inshore Special Area of Conservation undergoing gas pipeline development

Mairéad_O'Donovan — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:54:01 -0700

Broadhaven Bay (c.70km2) in northwest Ireland has, since 2002, been the focus of a marine mammal monitoring programme surrounding a gas pipeline development. The bay's Special Area of Conservation designation is due to the presence of habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. Communities of high species richness and rare marine invertebrate species have been recorded in the bay's cave and reef habitats.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Extreme Living: Comparative Biodiversity of Bryozoans in the Polar Regions

Jennifer_Loxton — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:53:43 -0700

Polar environments are unique habitats which feature year round low temperatures and extreme seasonality. Both the Arctic Ocean and the Southern ocean feature a high level of isolation and this combined with the environmental challenges this has given rise to a high degree of specialisation and endemism of benthic flora and fauna.
This study reviews the comparative diversity of bryozoans in the Polar Regions and assesses patterns in endemism, distribution and morphology.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Enhancing integrated adaptive coastal water management through citizen participation: The AWARE experience

Camino_Liquete — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:51:21 -0700

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Can local-scale monitoring on mass mortalities and population dynamics of gorgonians contribute to the conservation of sub-littoral benthic Mediterranean communities?

María_Segovia — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:50:01 -0700

Over the last few decades, marine ecosistems are not inmune to global warming and mass mortalities have been reported in a broad range of marine taxa. In the North-western Mediterranean region, for example, white gorgonian populations have experienced recent mass mortalities resulting in the loss of more than 50% in density and biomass. The white gorgonian, Eunicella singularis, is a colonial, sessile cnidarian which displays large long-lived structures that significantly shapes the habitat.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Galapagos of the North!” Biodiversity of Alaska's Pribilof Island Domain

Danielle_Merculief — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:44:44 -0700

Few places on earth exhibit the abundance of natural wonders found in marine waters of Alaska’s Pribilof Domain, thus the Pribilof Archipelago has been called the “Galapagos of the North”. The idyllic Bering Sea oceanography mixes Pacific currents upwelled through canyons meeting the Arctic cold pool – creating a uniquely enriched, protected habitat for the northern hemisphere’s largest seabird colonies. More than two million seabirds nest on the towering volcanic cliffs of St.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

E-CO2 School Lab: a new virtual tool for science-teaching

Fulvia_Bradassi — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:42:34 -0700

Experimental approach is widely recognized to be the most effective method in science teaching, but luck of time and funds sometimes prevent its application.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

DNA barcoding of the North Sea zooplankton: Biodiversity assessment by a molecular taxonomic interpretation

Inga_Mohrbeck — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:39:22 -0700

Marine zooplankton populations have the potential to respond to and reflect event-scale as well as seasonal changes in marine environmental conditions. Thus these extremely diverse organisms represent excellent "model organisms" for monitoring aquatic ecosystems. In order to understand shifts in the North Sea zooplankton community, valid species identification is indispensable. However, until now, the study of zooplankton is a demanding and time-consuming work and the traditional way of species identification based on morphological characters often requires excellent taxonomic expertise.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Biodiversity of the manganese nodule belt within the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, northeast equatorial Pacific: Preliminary results of the expedition SO-205 MANGAN

Annika_Tiltack — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:37:11 -0700

The aim of the R/V Sonne cruise SO-205 in April/May 2010 was the eastern part of the German license area for exploration of polymetallic nodules in the northeast equatorial Pacific Ocean (Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone). Within the scope of the multidisciplinary project MANGAN the research institute Senckenberg am Meer aims to characterize the benthic community in terms of community composition, standing crops and biodiversity.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

An integrated ecosystem approach to the sustainable use of European Regional Seas.

Rebecca_Koss — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:37:01 -0700

Marine ecosystems provide numerous ecosystem goods and services (EGS) beneficial for the global human population. Yet, they are highly threatened, facing resource depletion and ecological impacts from anthropogenic activities over the past century. The European Union introduced the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) to promote the sustainable use of marine EGS.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Comparison of Bathyal Demersal Fish Distribution Around the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Porcupine Seabight

Deborah_Crockard — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:36:11 -0700

Differences in demersal fish biodiversity, abundance and biomass around the MAR have previously been explored in terms of depth and latitudinal gradients, however, this is the first study to examine demersal fish distributions at a restricted depth range in the bathyal zone at different locations on the MAR. As a result of sampling difficulties comparatively little work has been carried out on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) compared to other regions in the North East Atlantic.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

The Ostracoda (Crustacea) from the Cruise of HMS Challenger freely available online: biogeographic and curatorial data, SEM and optic photos and taxonomic revisions assisting global macroecological and biodiversity and climate change studies

snbrandao — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:36:02 -0700

The worldwide voyage of the HMS Challenger collected oceanographic and biological samples and the results laid the foundations of almost every branch of oceanography as we know it today. Biological samples included virtually all high level taxa, and many thousands of specimens, comprising over 4000 'Types'.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Temporal changes in cephalopods community during 2008-2009 in Mauritanian waters (Eastern Central Atlantic)

Ana_Ramos — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:30:49 -0700

A total of 8,744 and 2,265 cephalopods were caught in 156 trawling stations during Maurit-0811' and ‘Maurit-0911' research cruises, carried out on board R/V Vizconde de Eza during November-December 2008 and 2009. In both cases, the studied area comprises deep shelf and continental margin of Mauritanian, from Cap Blanc to Senegal River, between 80 to 2000 meters depth.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Abundance of seabirds associated to coastline environments in Ilha Comprida, São Paulo, Brazil

Carla_Isobel — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:29:33 -0700

Marine ecosystems are naturally rich habitats. Seabirds are part of these environments and their distribution and abundance can be influenced by human activity on the coast, as well as intrinsic factors of each species.
The objective of this study was to assess the abundance of seabirds in Ilha Comprida, São Paulo. Eight points were chosen and, for one hour, data on the number and species of seabirds were gathered. Studies in this area are scarce, despite the ecological importance of these animals, especially concerning balance in the food web.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Digital Fossils at the British Geological Survey

Tim_McCormick — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:28:02 -0700

Specimens are the raw material on which the science of natural history is based, and this is especially so in palaeontology where the only direct evidence of the historical diversity of life is fossilised remains of organisms' bodies and their activities. The British Geological Survey's palaeontological collections house an estimated three million specimens, representing most phyla with a fossil record, and all geological periods from Neoproterozoic (< 1000 Ma BP) to Recent. As well as hosting many specimens from around the world, the BGS collections comprise the most comprehensive resourc

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Deep sea fish biodiversity: comparisons of coral and non-coral areas.

Christopher_Smith — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:27:24 -0700

The biodiversity of the deep-water fish assemblages of coral and non coral areas in the Eastern Ionian Sea was examined in the framework of the sampling cruises of the 7FP EU research project CoralFISH conducted by HCMR in the Eastern Ionian Sea. Experimental long line fishing was carried out in deep waters from 300 to 800 m depth in June and October 2010.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

New Records of Rare Deep Sea Fish Species in the Eastern Ionian Waters

Chryssi_Mytilineou — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:24:36 -0700

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Macoma balthica in the Baltic Sea – can signs of ongoing acidification be detected?

Anna_Jansson — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:23:21 -0700

Ocean acidification (OA) is a serious threat to marine biodiversity. Most of the OA research, however, investigates impacts of predicted future pH values on survival and performance of marine species, while less attention is paid to the possible effects that OA has in its current extent. Shells of different organisms are widely used as environmental proxies, describing e.g. past salinity and temperature conditions.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Global mangrove mapping techniques: a comparison of two approaches and their implications for real world decision making

Claire_Fitzgerald — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:21:28 -0700

Understanding the advantages and limitations of different methods for mapping marine and coastal habitats is essential for the appropriate practical application of these datasets in real-world monitoring, assessment, and decision making.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Study and conservation of marine biodiversity in Indonesian reefs Clara Serra,Marco Segre Reinach,Yurij Barrettara and Marco Baj Coral Eye,Indonesian reef research out post

Marco_Segre — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:17:14 -0700

High level of biodiversity means plenty variety of species, high resilience and many ecological, cultural and economic advantages.
The Italian-Indonesian group Coral Eye, thanks to the past cooperation with Italian University “Politecnica delle Marche”, realized in 2010 the first campus “Mata Karang”. The aim of the campus is to provide on- site the perfect instrument for all scientists involved in the study and preservation of biodiversity in coral reef ecosystem.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Cetaceans, are they mammals or fish? Our point of view

Carmen_Arija — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:12:01 -0700

One of the current goals of Conservation Biology is the education of human society so that people establish relationships with nature depending on their culture. In this paper we began to explore the knowledge about cetaceans that Spanish urban society has. To do this, 411 people of different sex, ages, professions, educational levels and cities in Spain, were surveyed considering basic characteristics of cetaceans like "being a mammal" or "breathing through lungs". Our results show that 98%, 97% and 90% (respectively) of respondents consider dolphins, whales and porpoises to be mammals.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Predicting the likely distribution of the invasive Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in a Norwegian fjord

Pia_Norling — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:03:42 -0700

The invasive Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas has since 2007 established populations in Norwegian waters. The origin of C. gigas found in Norway is unknown, but several plausible factors such as unusually warm water temperatures and persistent westerly winds during 2006 may have caused an inflow of larvae from the Danish Wadden Sea. The species is known to drastically change blue mussel beds and soft bottom areas into massive oyster reefs with negative impact on birds and other marine species as well as to human recreation areas.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Local extinction risk of Acropora at Koh Kood, Thailand

Thamasak_Yeemin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:01:02 -0700

There are many shallow coral reefs and coral communities on pinnacles around Koh Kood, Trat Province and its vicinity where are located near the borderline between Thailand and Cambodia, in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand. Coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand suffered a severe and extensive mass bleaching phenomenon in the summer months of 2010 and most coral taxa were affected in different levels of severity. Bleaching levels were relatively high at the eastern Gulf of Thailand. Follow-up surveys revealed high coral mortality in Acropora spp. in the Gulf of Thailand.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Long-term change in zooplankton functional diversity in the western subarctic North Pacific

Sanae_Chiba — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:00:53 -0700

Spatio-temporal variation in zooplankton community structure in the western subarctic North Pacific based on the historically collected zooplankton samples for 1960s - 2000, the Odate Collection, was investigated in relation to decadal climatic and hydrographic variations. Species and size structure of copepods in the region varied well responding the decadal dynamics of the subarctic and subtropical oceanic currents, Oyashio and Kuroshio, respectively.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Predicting patterns of algal beta diversity on shallow, temperate reefs.

Nicole_Hill — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:59:02 -0700

Beta diversity, the variation in species composition among sites within a region, is a key concept for conserving and managing biodiversity. However, beta-diversity is rarely studied across the large spatial scales relevant for management, particularly in the marine environment.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Variation of macrofaunal assemblage in a sandy beach of Gulf of Cadiz (Spain) along a touristical pressure gradient

Reyes-Martínez_Mª — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:54:13 -0700

Globally, the coast is undergoing a process of degradation, due to increased population, increased demand for its resources and the uncontrolled urban development (Schlacher et al., 2008). This degradation is noticeable along of Andalusian coast where it has given priority to tourist development as the main engine of the economy of the community. Such use has a direct impact on invertebrates species inhabiting the beaches, and an indirect impact on wildlife (birds and fish), which use invertebrates as food source (Goss-Custard, 1983).

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Assessing functional diversity of subtidal biocenosis on rocky shores. A methodological study from the bay of Saint Malo, France.

Régis_Gallon — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:53:01 -0700

The Marine Strategy Framework directive enforces member states of Europe to achieve a good environmental status before 2020. For the first time in an European directive, an ecosystemic approach is explicitly stated. In this context, methodological approaches need to be implemented to develop indicators of biological diversity but also abundance and biomass. Subtidal rocky habitats have been little studied up to now, and the role of red algae habitats in terms of community structure, functional diversity, biomass production and integration into the food web, is badly known.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Annotating the Deep sea using imagery from NEPTUNE Canada Ocean Network

Marjolaine_Matabos — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:50:33 -0700

The limited accessibility to the deep-sea results in a under estimation of biodiversity as rare species are not properly sampled, especially in abyssal plain characterized by low densities. Long-term and continuous observations of the seafloor using undersea cabled observatories will contribute to the sampling effort needed to better document marine biodiversity.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Threatened canopy algae: an experimental investigation of factors affecting the successful transplantation on artificial marine infrastructures.

Filippo_Ferrario — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:46:26 -0700

We present the results of experimental work aimed at examining the feasibility of controlling the growth of desirable species on man-made coastal defense structures (CDS). We focused on important habitat forming macroalgae of the genus Cystoseira threatened by loss in the Mediterranean sea. We analyzed the role of grazing in influencing the survival and growth of Cystoseira on CDS, as pilot tests suggested herbivory has a potentially limiting role. Grazers impact on growth and survival of juvenile thalli of C. barbata was assessed using cages of different mesh size.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Comparative study of the macrofaunal assemblages in sandy beaches of western coast of Andalusia (Spain).

M._Ruiz-Delgado — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:45:26 -0700

In this communication, the composition and structure of macrofaunal assemblages in sandy beaches of the SW Spanish coast is studied. Ten beaches along the western coast of Andalucía were sampled, from Isla Canela (Ayamonte-Huelva), near to the Portuguese border, to the Strait of Gibraltar.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Integrated coastal zone management in the French Mediterranean: A large-scale Artificial Reefs programme in the Bay of Marseille

Maude_MaudeDubois — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:43:41 -0700

With ca. 27.000m3 of submerged structures by 25-30m depth, the "PRADO REEFS" programme initiated in 2008 in the bay of Marseille, is one of the largest artificial reefs complex in Europe. Structures were established close to Posidonia oceanica meadows, a highly productive ecosystem, heavily impacted in this urban area. This 6M€ programme has emerged after concertation with all stakeholders.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

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Charles_Griffiths — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:41:34 -0700

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World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Vulnerability status of the main fishery resources in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Carla_Isobel — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:39:30 -0700

Data gathered between 2001 and 2005 by the Instituto de Pesca de São Paulo show the main species captured in marine fisheries in the state of São Paulo. Based on this list, a survey was carried out regarding the vulnerability of these species using national and international databases, such as IUCN, Greenpeace, Instituto de Pesca de São Paulo, IBAMA and the state of São Paulo Decree No. 56,031, 20th July 2010.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Short time variation of phytoplankton in the Yodo River estuary in Japan

Mitsuru_Hayashi — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:39:10 -0700

Chlorophyll a. concentration, water temperature, photon in the water and other related parameters were observed every 10 minutes during 16 days in Yodo River estuary in Japan. Cell density of each species of phytoplankton and nutrient concentrations were also observed every two or three days.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Priming effects in deep-water sediments: interaction between quantity of organic matter input and sediment trophic state.

Evina_Gontikaki — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:36:06 -0700

Coastal and continental slope sediments are responsible for 80 % of the global benthic mineralization. Priming effects (PE), i.e. changes in the decomposition of refractory organic matter (OM) following inputs of labile OM, have the potential to alter the C budget in marine sediments but have been largely ignored by marine scientists. Climate-driven changes in primary production suggest that a future increase in labile OM input in sediments is a realistic possibility and understanding whether sediments will act as a source or sink of C is becoming crucial.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Changes in community structure of littoral fish along a salinity gradient

Janica_Borg — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:34:26 -0700

The structure of a fish community is affected by its habitat. In the light of the current changes in the brackish Baltic Sea (i.e. sinking salinity and increasing eutrophication) we set out to examine exactly how the habitat affects the community structure. We sampled the littoral region of 32 sandy beaches situated along a gradient from inner to outer archipelago, with changing habitat parameters such as salinity, wave exposure, beach size and vegetation. Sampling was done in the northern Baltic Sea during three different seasons; spring, summer and autumn.

World Conference on Marine Biodiversity

Evidence of natural resistance of wild populations of invertebrates to acidic runoff from acid sulfate soils

Valter_Amaral — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:33:26 -0700

Laboratory and field experiments showed that even short-term exposure of naïve oysters to acidic runoff from acid sulfate soils (ASS) can lead to increased mortality. How these results apply to wild populations of invertebrates is, however, unclear. Sessile organisms, such as oysters, or species with limited dispersion, such as gastropods, might experience strong selective pressures for tolerance to low pH when chronically exposed. Mobile species, such as crabs, may be capable of behavioural escape of direct exposure.