Influence of Spartina alterniflora invasion stages on macrobenthic communities on a tidal flat in Wenzhou Bay, China

Authors

  • Bao-Ming Ge Yancheng Teachers University; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection
  • Yi-Xin Bao Zhejiang Normal University; Institute of Ecology
  • Hong-Yi Cheng Zhejiang Normal University; Institute of Ecology
  • Dai-Zhen Zhang Yancheng Teachers University; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection
  • Zhi-Yuan Hu Zhejiang Normal University; Institute of Ecology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592012000300014

Keywords:

Biodiversity, Western Pacific coast, Invasion, Benthic macrofauna, Ecosystem engineers

Abstract

Many coastal habitats in eastern China are being substantially altered by the invasion of Spartina alterniflora. The species richness, density, Margalef's diversity index (R) and Shannon's diversity index (H') of macrobenthic communities on a tidal flat in Wenzhou Bay, China, were analyzed with the factors of invasion stage and season, in 2007. A significant effect of invasion stage, season, and the interaction between them on communities was detected. The macrobenthic community was more complex in the patch of initial S. alterniflora invasion than in the patches of some other invasion stages. Macrobenthic communities were classified by cluster and ordination in accordance with the habitat character of the S. alterniflora invasion stage. Our research demonstrated that the S. alterniflora invasion stage affected the macrobenthic communities significantly. The results indicated that biodiversity increased in the initial stage of invasion (invasion age 1-2 years) and then decreased in the stage of invasion underway (invasion age 3-4 years) and in the stage of invasion completed (invasion age 5-6 years); this phenomenon was related to the change in the S. alterniflora canopy which accompanied the invasion stages.

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Published

2012-01-01

Issue

Section

naodefinida

How to Cite

Influence of Spartina alterniflora invasion stages on macrobenthic communities on a tidal flat in Wenzhou Bay, China. (2012). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 60(3), 441-448. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592012000300014