scholarly journals Determination of functional structure of soft-bottom marine macrobenthic communities of the Samsun Shelf Area using biological traits analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-487
Author(s):  
Ayşe Van ◽  
Aysun Gümüş
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Size ◽  
Functional Structure ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
Mechanical Pressure ◽  
Feeding Mode ◽  
Macrobenthic Communities ◽  
Diffusive Mixing

Abstract Biological Traits Analysis (BTA) was used to investigate the functional structure of marine macrobenthic communities along the Samsun Shelf Area (SSA). Benthic samples were collected seasonally from five different locations and at four different depths using a Van Veen grab sampler. Macrofaunal communities distributed in the SSA were assessed using 10 biological traits to identify characteristic traits for each depth and location. It was found that variability of benthic ecosystem functions in the SSA was driven by biological traits such as maximum size, living habit, sediment position, feeding mode and type of reproductive behavior. Bivalves, polychaetes and crustaceans of small to medium size, biodepositing, burying themselves in the sediment (burrowers) and feeding in suspension were relatively more abundant at depths of 0–60 m. However, the biomass of Amphiura, Abra, Papillicardium and some polychaetes characterized by medium to large sizes, diffusive mixing, free living and feeding on deposit and subsurface deposit showed higher values at depths below 60 m. In general, it is concluded that the functional structure of the benthic infauna in the SSA has adapted to physical disturbance, and communities distributed in this area consist mainly of taxa resistant to mechanical pressure.

scholarly journals Responses of Functional Traits of Macrobenthic Communities to Human Activities in Daya Bay (A Subtropical Semi-Enclosed Bay), China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiyong Rao ◽  
Lizhe Cai ◽  
Xinwei Chen ◽  
Xiping Zhou ◽  
Sujing Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Functional Structure ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Daya Bay ◽  
Discharge Area ◽  
Macrobenthic Communities ◽  
Sampling Locations

The biological trait analysis (BTA) is regarded as a promising approach to unravel how ecosystem functions respond to human-induced disturbances. This study considered the four sampling locations associated with different human activities in Daya Bay, that is, the domestic and industrial sewage discharge area (SED), mariculture area (MRC), nuclear power plants thermal discharge area (NTD), and an area with relatively low human disturbance as a reference (REF). Thirty modalities of nine traits were selected in BTA. Our results showed a clear shift in the functional structure of macrobenthic communities between the sampling locations, except for the case between NTD and REF. The trait composition in the communities did not highlight any seasonal patterns. Bioturbation, longevity, tolerance, body size, feeding habit, and environmental position were the key traits to characterize the functional structure of macrobenthic communities and demonstrated predictable responses along the environmental gradients. Water depth, DO, Chl-a, NH4+, and petroleum contaminants in sediments were the main variables influencing the trait composition. In addition, the taxonomic index (H′) and functional diversity index (Rao’s Q) showed clear differences among the sampling locations. Although there were no significant differences between NTD and REF in terms of the trait composition and functional diversity, a potential function loss in NTD still can be detected through the integrated analysis with taxonomic diversity. We suggest that the traits (except for fragility, larval development, and living habits) selected and the diversity indices (H′ and Rao’s Q) could serve as promising indicators of ecological conditions in Daya Bay.

scholarly journals Discordant Temporal Turnovers of Sediment Bacterial and Eukaryotic Communities in Response to Dredging: Nonresilience and Functional Changes

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Zhang ◽  
Xian Xiao ◽  
Meng Pei ◽  
Xiang Liu ◽  
Yuting Liang
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Macrobenthic Community ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Macrobenthic Communities ◽  
Temporal Turnover ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Ecosystem Multifunctionality

ABSTRACT To study the stability and succession of sediment microbial and macrobenthic communities in response to anthropogenic disturbance, a time-series sampling was conducted before, during, and 1 year after dredging in the Guan River in Changzhou, China, which was performed with cutter suction dredgers from 10 April to 20 May 2014. The microbial communities were analyzed by sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA and eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene amplicons with Illumina MiSeq, and the macrobenthic community was identified using a morphological approach simultaneously. The results indicated that dredging disturbance significantly altered the composition and structures of sediment communities. The succession rates of communities were estimated by comparing the slopes of time-decay relationships. The temporal turnover of microeukaryotes (w = 0.3251, P < 0.001 [where w is a measure of the rate of log(species turnover) across log(time)]) was the highest, followed by that of bacteria (w = 0.2450, P < 0.001), and then macrobenthos (w = 0.1273, P < 0.001). During dredging, the alpha diversities of both bacterial and microeukaryotic communities were more resistant, but their beta diversities were less resistant than that of macrobenthos. After recovery for 1 year, all three sediment communities were not resilient and had reached an alternative state. The alterations in sediment community structure and stability resulted in functional changes in nitrogen and carbon cycling in sediments. Sediment pH, dissolved oxygen, redox potential, and temperature were the most important factors influencing the stability of sediment communities and ecosystem multifunctionality. This study suggests that discordant temporal turnovers and nonresilience of sediment communities under dredging resulted in functional changes, which are important for predicting sediment ecosystem functions under anthropogenic disturbances. IMPORTANCE Understanding the temporal turnover and stability of biotic communities is crucial for predicting the responses of sediment ecosystems to dredging disturbance. Most studies to date focused on the bacterial or macrobenthic community, only at two discontinuous time points, before and after dredging, and hence, it was difficult to analyze the community succession. This study first compared the stabilities and temporal changes of sediment bacterial, microeukaryotic, and macrobenthic communities at a continuous time course. The results showed that discordant responses of the three communities are mainly related to their different biological inherent attributes, and sensitivities to sediment geochemical variables change with dredging, resulting in changes in sediment ecosystem multifunctionality.

The influence of diets with dry corn barda and intermittent feeding mode on the productive and biological traits of broiler chickens

2020 ◽  
pp. 54-69
Author(s):  
L. Robertovich ◽  
Abdelhamid Salah Abdelhamid Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Arid Climate ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Biological Parameters ◽  
Feeding Mode ◽  
Intermittent Feeding ◽  
Hot Arid Climate ◽  
Different Doses

The inclusion of dry corn barda in diets helps to solve the problem of obtaining inexpensive feed protein for broilers, but the effectiveness of its use in different doses has not been studied good enough. The use of different intermittent feeding programs, as of a intermittent feeding mode can reduce the severity of heat stress in broiler chickens. However, the optimal duration of the break in feeding broiler chickens in the hottest daytime hours is not established in detail. The purpose of the researches was to determine the effect of diets with dry corn barda and intermittent feeding mode with the addition of the complex of trace elements (chromium, zinc) and vitamins (ascorbic acid, antisterility vitamin) on the productive and biological characteristics of broiler chickens at high air temperature in the hot arid climate. The productive and biological trats of broiler chickens have been determined when using 5, 10, 15 % dry corn barda in diets. Data on the productive and biological parameters of broiler chickens of the cross Ross-308 have been obtained when using intermittent feeding mode of different duration (2, 3, 4 hours). New data have been obtained on the productive and biological parameters of broiler chickens cross Ross-308 when using additives in feed of different doses of trace elements (Cr, Zn) and vitamins (C, E). The optimal parameters of the duration of intermittent feeding mode and the dose of trace elements (Cr, Zn) and vitamins (C, E) added to the feed have been revealed. It has been found that the inclusion of dry corn barda in the diet of broiler chickens and the influence of intermittent feeding mode with the addition of the complex of trace elements (Cr, Zn) and vitamins (C, E) in the feed improves the functional state of the body and increases the productivity of broiler chickens at elevated air temperature in the hot arid climate.

Irregular recruitment of the echinoid Echinocyamus pusillus and its implications for biological traits analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (7) ◽  
pp. 1123-1127
Author(s):  
Richard M. Warwick ◽  
Bryony Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Larval Development ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
English Channel ◽  
Test Length ◽  
Small Species ◽  
Mechanical Perturbation ◽  
Feeding Mode ◽  
Maximum Test

AbstractSize-frequency analysis of the echinoid Echinocyamus pusillus from six offshore areas in the southern North Sea and eastern English Channel reveal five distinct cohorts, suggesting a lifespan of five years. In all six individual areas one or more year-groups are absent, due to the unsuccessful recruitment of planktonic larvae to the seabed in some years, giving a false impression of a shorter lifespan. A relatively long lifespan and planktotrophic larval development are remarkable for such a small species, which reaches a maximum test length of 7.3 mm in the area, such traits being more typical of large-sized macrobenthic species. The feeding mode is akin to that of many meiobenthic taxa. The architecture of the test confers exceptional strength and resilience to mechanical perturbation.

Incorporating Biological Traits into Conservation Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 421-443
Author(s):  
Marta Miatta ◽  
Amanda E. Bates ◽  
Paul V.R. Snelgrove
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Marine Applications ◽  
Monitoring Protocols

Implementation of marine conservation strategies, such as increasing the numbers, extent, and effectiveness of protected areas (PAs), can help achieve conservation and restoration of ocean health and associated goods and services. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of including aspects of ecological functioning in PA design, the physical characteristics of habitats and simple measures of species diversity inform most PA designations. Marine and terrestrial ecologists have recently been using biological traits to assess community dynamics, functioning, and vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts. Here, we explore potential trait-based marine applications to advance PA design. We recommend strategies to integrate biological traits into ( a) conservation objectives (e.g., by assessing and predicting impacts and vulnerability), ( b) PA spatial planning (e.g., mapping ecosystem functions and functional diversity hot spots), and ( c) time series monitoring protocols (e.g., using functional traits to detect recoveries). We conclude by emphasizing the need for pragmatic tools to improve the efficacy of spatial planning and monitoring efforts.

Research on Collaborative Development System of Electric Network for Small and Medium Enterprise

2014 ◽  
Vol 945-949 ◽  
pp. 3462-3467
Author(s):  
Yu Hong Zhang ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Dong Dong Jin ◽  
Xiao Wei Liu ◽  
Wan Tian Lu
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Operation Mode ◽  
Requirements Analysis ◽  
Functional Structure ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Collaborative Development ◽  
Development System ◽  
Electric Network ◽  
Medium Enterprise ◽  
System Requirements

Aiming to small and medium-size enterprise’s technical force weak and lack of research and development ability. We urgently need a new cooperation pattern to make up for the shortage. The paper put forward a kind of network collaborative development system. Based on the system requirements analysis, the paper researched system’s functional structure and operation mode. Finally, According to the system’s development instance, the paper proved its viability and practicability.

scholarly journals On the development of a trait-based approach for studying Neotropical bats

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. e20216124
Author(s):  
Dennis Castillo-Figueroa ◽  
Jairo Pérez-Torres
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Functional Relations

New World bats are involved in key ecological processes and are good indicators of environmental changes. Recently, trait-based approaches have been used in several taxa to better understand mechanisms underlying species assemblages, biotic interactions, environmental relationships and ecosystem functions. However, despite the relevance of bats on ecosystem dynamics, so far, there is no conceptual framework that relies on the measurement of bat traits to address functional studies. Here, we present a set of 50 bat biological traits, which are suitable to assess environmental stressors and can potentially affect ecological processes. Several examples were provided to show the applicability of this framework in the study of Neotropical bat ecology. We suggest some considerations regarding trait-based approach including the importance of intraspecific variation, correlations between traits, response-effect framework, global dataset, and future directions to assess the reliability of functional relations across species and Neotropical regions by using traits. This could be helpful in tackling ecological questions associated with community assembly and habitat filtering, species diversity patterns along environmental gradients, and ecological processes. We envision this paper as a first step toward an integrative bat functional trait protocol held up with solid evidence.

scholarly journals Stable Soil Microbial Functional Structure Responding to Biodiversity Loss Based on Metagenomic Evidences

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huaihai Chen ◽  
Kayan Ma ◽  
Yu Huang ◽  
Zhiyuan Yao ◽  
Chengjin Chu
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Functional Structure ◽  
Metagenomic Data ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Microbial Species ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Function

Anthropogenic disturbances and global climate change are causing large-scale biodiversity loss and threatening ecosystem functions. However, due to the lack of knowledge on microbial species loss, our understanding on how functional profiles of soil microbes respond to diversity decline is still limited. Here, we evaluated the biotic homogenization of global soil metagenomic data to examine whether microbial functional structure is resilient to significant diversity reduction. Our results showed that although biodiversity loss caused a decrease in taxonomic species by 72%, the changes in the relative abundance of diverse functional categories were limited. The stability of functional structures associated with microbial species richness decline in terrestrial systems suggests a decoupling of taxonomy and function. The changes in functional profile with biodiversity loss were function-specific, with broad-scale metabolism functions decreasing and typical nutrient-cycling functions increasing. Our results imply high levels of microbial physiological versatility in the face of significant biodiversity decline, which, however, does not necessarily mean that a loss in total functional abundance, such as microbial activity, can be overlooked in the background of unprecedented species extinction.

scholarly journals Biomass of a trophic level increases with maximum body size, but less than proportionally

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrique C. Giacomini
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Metabolic Scaling ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Maximum Body ◽  
Maximum Body Size

A recent paper by Enquist and colleagues1 took a very important step in predicting the ecosystemic effects of species losses on a global scale. Using Metabolic Scaling Theory (MST), they concluded that large-sized species contribute disproportionately to several ecosystem functions. One of their key predictions is that total biomass of animals in a trophic level (MTot, using their notation) should increase more than proportionally with its maximum body size (mmax), following the relationship MTot ∝ mmax5/4. Here I argue that this superlinear scaling results from an incorrect representation of the individual size distribution and that the exponent should be 1/4, implying a sublinear scaling. The same reasoning applies to total energy flux or metabolism BTot, which should be invariant to maximum size according to the energetic equivalence and perfect compensatory responses entailed by MST.

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