Sandy Beach Ecology Research Articles

The ecology of sandy beaches of the Benguela ecosystem

Sandy beaches constitute nearly 46 per cent of the coastline between the Cape of Good Hope and the Orange River along the west coast of South Africa. In addition, shores of mixed sand and rock make up a further 24 per cent although these are not considered here. Sandy beaches are therefore the dominant shore type along the coastline, and most are subject to high wave energy. There are two main ecological beach types along the study coastline: those that receive a high input of organic matter in the form of stranded kelp and those that do not. Neither type appears to support large stocks of surf-zone phytoplankton, but despite this, even beaches receiving no stranded kelp bear high standing stocks of infauna. This fact may be related to the location of the beaches alongside a highly productive upwelling region. Existing ecological information on sandy beaches along the Benguela coastline is reviewed and integrated to form a composite picture of present understanding of these beaches. The definition of a sa...

The ecology of sandy beaches in Transkei

Data from an ecological survey of three sandy beaches in Transkei and from Gulu beach on the eastern Cape coast, South Africa, are presented. Physical parameters such as beach profile, sand particle size, Eh and carbonate content, as well as abundance, composition, biomass and distribution of the macrofauna and meiofauna were investigated. Beaches in Transkei are relatively small and are usually associated with estuarine systems. Substrate at Thompson's beach in northern Transkei was relatively coarse with relatively few macrofaunal species. Further south, beaches have fine to medium substrates and are characterized by a diverse macrofaunal community. Major changes in faunal composition occurred in Transkei and this was most evident for Mpande and Cebe beaches where a subtropical east-coast fauna was replaced by species characteristic of the southern Cape coast. Molluscs also became increasingly important southwards and replaced crustaceans as the most important group. Meiofauna was dominated by nematodes...

The ecology of sandy beaches in Natal

Data from an ecological survey of four sandy beaches on the Natal coast of South Africa are presented. Physical parameters such as beach profile, particle size, moisture, Eh and carbonate content, as well as abundance, composition, biomass and distribution of both macrofauna and meiofauna were Investigated. A survey of the surf and swash zone mysids was also made. Natal beaches may be divided into two general types: (i) moderately exposed beaches of medium sand north of Blythdale with diverse meiofauna and typical sand beach macrofauna communities, and (ii) very exposed beaches of coarse sand south of Blythdale with true intertidal macrofauna often absent and a meiofauna dominated by large archiannelids.

The ecology of sandy beaches in southern Africa

The physical features, macrofauna and meiofauna of four exposed sandy beaches along the southern coast of South Africa were quantitatively investigated. All beaches had medium to fine sands with relatively poor to moderate macrofauna and very rich meiofauna. The results are compared with the present knowledge of the southern African coastline. Sandy beaches types around the southern African coastline are summarized according to geomorphology and wave action and three Zoogeographie provinces are recognized. The macrofauna is dominated by crustaceans, mostly scavengers, on the warmer east coast and by molluscs, mostly filterfeeders, on the temperate south coast. Relationships between diversity and abundance of macrofauna, beach slope and particle size are analysed in detail. Intertidal zonation of macrofauna is described and a zonation scheme based on crustaceans proposed. Relationships between meiofauna composition and particle size are described as well as intertidal distribution patterns of the meiofauna...

The ecology of sandy beaches in Penang, Malaysia, with special reference to Excirolana orientalis (Dana)

The physical characteristics of a series of beaches of differing exposure on Penang Island, Malaysia have been measured and the macrofauna collected quantitatively. The zonation of the fauna on the upper and mid-shore agrees with that described for other tropical beaches, but the sudden transition to mud on the lower shore is exceptional. Excirolana orientalis has a wide distribution on the shore and its relationship with similar isopods in other areas, where they occur together on the beach, is discussed.

The Annual Reproductive Patterns of Bathyporeia Pilosa and Bathyporeia Pelagica [Crustacea: Amphipoda

The genus Bathyporeia has featured in many reports on the ecology of sandy beaches, yet little is known of the annual reproductive cycles of the species in British waters. Watkin (1938,1939a, b, 1941, 1942) has studied the taxonomy and aspects of the ecology of the genus, and more recently Salvat (1967) has described the annual reproductive cycle of B. pilosa Lindstrom, B. pelagica (Bate), B. sarsi Watkin and B. guilliamsonia (Bate) on the west coast of France. The present report is the result of an investigation into the vertical distribution and annual reproductive patterns of B. pilosa and B. pelagica on a sandy beach at Ynyslas, Cardiganshire. Whilst enabling comparisons to be made with Salvat's data, this study also forms the basis for an investigation into the ecophysiological complex of B. pilosa and B. pelagica.

The ecology and chemistry of sandy beaches and nearshore submarine sediments of Natal—I: Pollution criteria for sandy beaches in Natal

Measurements have been made of some chemical and faunal parameters on Natal beaches. Comparisons between polluted and unpolluted localities have yielded evidence of consistent differences associated with enrichment or impoverishment of the environment resulting from pollution. Criteria are suggested for assessing the state of beaches.

The ecology and chemistry of sandy beaches and nearshore submarine sediments of Natal— II: Pollution criteria for nearshore sediments of the Natal coast

Measurements have been made of some chemical and faunal parameters in nearshore submarine sediments off the Natal coast. Some variations depending on the type of sediment, the depth of water, and the season were detected. Comparisons between polluted and unpolluted areas showed that considerably increased levels of chemical parameters and high faunal densities were associated with organic pollution. The species Capitella capitata was specifically associated with organic pollution. Monitoring control levels are suggested which if exceeded, will indicate the existence of pollution with organic material in the area.