Changes in the functional feeding groups of macrobenthos following artificial reef construction in Daya Bay, China

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between artificial reef (AR) construction and the functional diversity of marine organisms could facilitate the restoration of marine biodiversity, which has been severely reduced over the past decades. In the current research, we assessed the changes in macrobenthic functional feeding groups (FFGs) and environmental variables associated with those changes in both the AR habitat and the nearby non-reef control (NC) habitat in Daya Bay, Shenzhen, China. Planktophages formed the dominant macrobenthic FFGs regardless of habitat, sampling date, or macrobenthic parameter (species richness, abundance, or biomass). After the AR was constructed, however, the proportions of macrobenthic species richness, abundance and biomass represented by planktophages significantly decreased, while the proportions represented by detritivores and phytophages significantly increased (except in term of biomass for phytophages) in both AR and NC habitats. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling and PERMANOVA analyses indicated that the composition of macrobenthic FFGs did not significantly differ between the two habitats at any sampling date. Further analyses indicated that the changes in the proportions and compositions among macrobenthic FFGs after AR construction were mainly associated with changes in the pH, temperature, and salinity of the sediment. These results increase our understanding of the linkage between biotic functional diversity and AR construction and could help guide coastal restoration in China and elsewhere. • Macrobenthic functional feeding groups were assessed in coastal artificial reefs. • Planktophages were the dominate macrobenthic functional feeding group. • Planktophages proportions significantly decreased in artificial reefs. • Dritivores proportions significantly increased in artificial reefs. • Sediment properties may affect macrobenthic functional feeding groups.