The Influence of Manila Clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) on Macrobenthos Communities in a Korean Tidal Ecosystem

Sang Lyeol Kim,Ok Hwan Yu,Su Min Kang,Hyung Gon Lee

doi:10.3390/su12104205

Sang Lyeol Kim, Ok Hwan Yu + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104205

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Abstract

We investigated the biological impact of extensive Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) aquaculture on macrobenthic communities in a tidal ecosystem in Korea. We collected macrobenthos (>1 mm in length) samples seasonally in the intertidal zone in Geunsoman, Taean, Korea from April 2011 to December 2014. We identified 146 macrobenthos species, including 60 polychaetes, 53 crustaceans, and 16 mollusks. A biota–environment matching (BIO–ENV) analysis indicated that the benthic community was affected by mean sediment grain size (Mz), total organic carbon (TOC), and R. philippinarum biomass. We found no correlation between R. philippinarum and the main dominant species (Heteromastus filiformis, Ceratonereis erythraeensis, and Ampharete arctica), which have a different feeding strategy; thus, this may result in a lack of competition for food resources. In addition, we found that flourishing R. philippinarum positively affects the macrobenthos density but negatively affects the biodiversity index. Moreover, competition between species does not occur clearly, and environmental variables (sediment, organic carbon) are important.

Highlights

The distributions of intertidal macrobenthic taxa are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as sediment type, temperature, salinity, organic carbon, etc. [1]
We examined the status and dynamics of intertidal macrobenthos communities by examining species richness and density, as well as community structure, in areas dominated by Ruditapes philippinarum
In 2012, the average mean sediment grain size (Mz) was 4.75 ± 0.96 ø, which was similar to values observed in 2011 (4.75 ± 1.56 ø), but it decreased to 3.70 ± 1.56 ø in 2013 and declined further to 3.15 ± 1.25 ø in 2014 (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The distributions of intertidal macrobenthic taxa are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as sediment type, temperature, salinity, organic carbon, etc. [1]. They play a critical role in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems [2]. Macrobenthos are important in organic matter cycling and nutrients and provide a link between the benthic and pelagic division of marine ecosystems [4]. They are used as indicators of coastal ecosystem health and environmental quality because this group is characterized by long-lived species with limited habitat ranges and high sensitivity to environmental change [5]. Macrobenthic animals are critical links between primary producers and high trophic level consumers in coastal food webs [6]. Macrobenthos are important to research targets in marine ecology and are essential to the structure and function of coastal ecosystems [7,8]

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