1. Environmental triggers of faunal changes revealed by benthic foraminiferal monitoring
- Author
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I. Mendes and Joachim Schönfeld
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Fauna ,Backbarrier beach ,Current ,Foraminifera ,Aquatic Science ,Oceanography ,01 natural sciences ,Population density ,Abundance (ecology) ,14. Life underwater ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Polychaete ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,biology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Marine & Freshwater Biology ,Sediment ,Polychaeta ,15. Life on land ,biology.organism_classification ,Inlet ,Benthic zone ,Environmental science ,Ria Formosa - Abstract
Highlights • Foraminifera responded faster to environmental perturbations than macroorganisms. • Population densities doubled and Asterigerinata mamilla bloomed under stronger flow. • Excess of threshold values and changes to new ecosystems induce acme occurrences. Abstract Benthic foraminifera are deemed sensitive indicators of environmental conditions. Triggers and magnitudes of faunal response to environmental changes are yet poorly constrained. Benthic foraminiferal faunas were monitored annually at Ria Formosa (Algarve, Portugal) coastal lagoon since 2013. Distinct environmental changes were recognised during the monitoring period. The relocation of a tidal inlet in winter 2015 effected faster flushing, higher tidal levels, and stronger currents in the Esteiro do Ancão tidal channel. The epibenthic foraminiferal species Asterigerinata mamilla increased in abundance and the population densities of the whole fauna were double as high as before inlet relocation. Enhanced sediment redeposition was recorded and extensive polychaete colonies successively replaced firmground patches with oysters. The standing stock of the foraminiferal fauna declined in the next year due to food impoverishment, while the high hydraulic energy levels and high percentages of Asterigerinata mamilla maintained. Benthic foraminifera responded much faster to environmental perturbations than macroorganisms identifying them as powerful proxies in environmental studies.
- Published
- 2021
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