The impact of seabed disturbance on nematode communities: linking field and laboratory observations |
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Authors: | M Schratzberger N Lampadariou P J Somerfield L Vandepitte E Vanden Berghe |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT, UK;(2) Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 2214, 71003 Iraklion, Crete, Greece;(3) Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK;(4) Flanders Marine Institute, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Oostende, Belgium;(5) Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, 71 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA |
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Abstract: | Physical disturbance is a key factor in controlling the spatial and temporal composition of shallow-water benthic communities.
Like shallow waters, deeper waters are increasingly subject to a range of anthropogenic disturbances, which can lead to significant
alterations in sedimentation patterns. These alterations often exceed naturally occurring changes. We used a combined analysis
of six independent data sets arising from large-scale field surveys and small-scale laboratory experiments to investigate
the effects of seabed disturbance on nematode communities. Disturbance response was documented as a function of disturbance
type (coastal development, dredged material disposal, bottom trawling, glacial fjord) and intensity (low, medium, high). Natural
and man-induced seabed disturbance exerted differential effects on exposed populations, generating changes in the taxonomic
(genus) and functional (feeding type) attributes of their assemblages. The genus composition of nematode assemblages from
geographically separate seas converged with increased level of various types of man-made disturbance. Assemblages present
along a gradient of natural disturbance in a glacial fjord followed an opposite response vector, suggesting that community
changes induced by anthropogenic activities, or experimental treatments simulating the principal impacts of these, inherently
differ from disturbance of natural origin. Changes in trophic diversity and structure were primarily driven by factors confounded
with physical disturbance, such as metal contamination. Coupling the results of analyses at multiple scales proved a useful
means of providing deeper insights into the general response of ecological communities to environmental change. |
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