scholarly journals Artificial crevice habitats to assess the biodiversity of vagile macro-cryptofauna of subtidal rocky reefs

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus de A. Baronio ◽  
Daniel J. Bucher
Keyword(s):  
River Discharge ◽  
New South ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
East Australian Current ◽  
Kelp Beds ◽  
Rocky Reefs ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Differential Exposure ◽  
Subtidal Rocky Reefs

Reef cryptofauna (animals inhabiting cracks and crevices) represent much of a reef’s biodiversity yet are seldom studied owing to their inaccessibility. Subtidal rocky reefs off Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay in northern New South Wales, Australia support benthic communities ranging from coral-dominated offshore reefs to kelp beds of Ecklonia radiata on inshore reefs. It was hypothesised that differential exposure to river discharge and the East Australian Current, as well as proximity to other reef habitats, may produce differences in recruitment and persistence of cryptofauna between superficially similar reefs within a small geographical range. Artificial crevice habitats were deployed at similar depths on three inshore reefs supporting similar Ecklonia densities. Although the species richness of crevice fauna was similar at all reefs, the species composition differed significantly along with the assemblages recruited in different seasons and to different crevice sizes. Neither reef faunas nor that of varying crevice sizes changed consistently with the seasons, yet all crevices appeared equally accessible to colonists. These results demonstrate the potential inadequacy of classifying reef communities for management of regional biodiversity based on the visual dominance of a few species that may not be as sensitive to environmental variables as many of the less obvious taxa.

Spatial patterns of ascidian assemblages on subtidal rocky reefs in the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park, New South Wales

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Newton ◽  
Bob Creese ◽  
David Raftos
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Rocky Reefs ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Subtidal Rocky Reefs ◽  
Port Stephens

Spatial and temporal patterns of variability in ascidian assemblages were investigated on horizontal subtidal rocky reefs at Port Stephens, New South Wales (NSW). The study was designed to provide a baseline dataset on ascidian diversity and distribution patterns for an area destined to become a marine park (the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park: PSGLMP). Differences in ascidian assemblages between exposed oceanic island reefs and sheltered reefs within Port Stephens, and between two depth zones within each subtidal reef, were quantified using non-parametric multivariate techniques coupled with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Ascidian assemblages were highly variable between reef sites, reef exposures and particularly between depth zones within each reef surveyed. However, temporal variation was only observed for a few ascidian species. These highly variable spatial patterns in diversity indicate that numerous subtidal reefs may need to be protected within PSGLMP if the aim of the marine park is to adequately represent the entire array of marine biodiversity in the area.

Benthic communities in an estuary with periodic deoxygenation

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
SF Rainer ◽  
RC Fitzhardinge
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Central Basin ◽  
Deep Basin ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Range Of Values ◽  
Zostera Capricorni

The relationship between spatial patterns in the physical environment and patterns in community and trophic structure in the benthic fauna was investigated in an estuary with periodic deoxygenation of the near- bottom water. Six sites were sampled between intertidal mangroves and an 8 m deep basin of Port Hacking, N.S.W. A total of 163 species was collected, ranging from 11 to 94 at each site. Both frequency and biomass were least in the central basin and highest in a bed of the seagrass Zostera capricorni Aschers. The abundances at these sites encompass the range of values previously recorded for estuaries on the east coast of Australia. The dominant species differed from those reported from other New South Wales estuaries, although the same species were usually present. The distribution of common species was limited by fluctuations in dissolved oxygen levels, but not obviously so by sediment differences or short-term fluctuations in water temperature or salinity. Frequency-based diversity and evenness values were similar to those from other estuarine areas. Biomass-based values were lower at most sites than frequency-based values. Patterns of diversity and evenness could not be simply interpreted as indicators of environmental harshness in the community.

Large-scale patterns in habitat structure on subtidal rocky reefs in New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. L. Andrew ◽  
A. L. O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Subtidal Rocky Reefs ◽  
A Site

Aerial photography was used to estimate the representation of shallow subtidal habitats in New South Wales. Sixty sites, each between 4 and 5 hectares, were mapped with Geographical Information Systems software using ortho-rectified images digitized from 1:8000-scale photographs and ‘ground truthed’ in the field by divers. Barrens habitat covered an estimated 50% (s.e. = 3.9) of nearshore reefs between Port Stephens and Disaster Bay. Coverage of barrens habitat was greatest in Disaster Bay (68%, s.e. = 6.7) and least south of Disaster Bay (1%, s.e. = 0.3). There were clear differences among localities in the area of reef within the mapped sites; those at Cape Howe, Nadgee, and Turingal were significantly smaller in area than all others. There was no clear latitudinal trend in these differences but there was evidence of sand inundation at a site at Nadgee, where the reef was small. Differences in the densities and size-structure of the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersiiat 27 of the mapped sites provide a basis for testing relationships between the demography of this species and the persistence of the barrens habitat. The extensive coverage of the barrens habitat in New South Wales is likely to limit the productivity of the abalone industry. The development of a sea urchin fishery may have large impacts on habitat representation on nearshore reefs.

Flowering of Xanthorrhoea fulva: the Effect of Fire and Clipping

1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Taylor ◽  
Vaughan Monamy ◽  
Barry J. Fox
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Floral Induction ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Seasonal Component ◽  
Flowering Response ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Fire Intervals ◽  
Myall Lakes

Xanthorrhoea fulva (A.Lee) Bedford is a dominant plant of wet heath at Myall Lakes National Park, New South Wales, Australia. As for many other members of the genus, fire is the main stimulus for flowering of X. fulva. The stimulus to flowering provided by fire and by crown removal (clipping) of X. fulva was compared in two different seasons and for two different between-fire intervals. The percentage of X. fulva crowns flowering was greater following: (i) summer disturbance when compared with winter disturbance; (ii) short between-fire intervals (3.75 or 5.25 years) when compared with long between-fire intervals (9.3 or 16.9 years); and (iii) burning when compared with clipping. This demonstrates that the stimulus to floral induction in X. fulva is a combination of a seasonal component and crown removal, a component related to the interval since the last fire, and perhaps some other factor(s) not tested for in this study. This variation in flowering response of X. fulva shows the importance of considering immediate and historic characteristics of fire and other disturbances when management decisions are being made.

Range and habitat associations of the native macroalga Caulerpa filiformis in New South Wales, Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim M. Glasby ◽  
Peter. T. Gibson ◽  
Gregory West ◽  
Peter Davies ◽  
Sofietje Voerman
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
Species Introduction ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Rocky Reefs ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Green Seaweed ◽  
Natural Range

Caulerpa filiformis is a green seaweed found in New South Wales (NSW, Australia), South Africa, Mozambique and Peru. It has been suggested that the abundance of the species has increased in NSW over recent decades. Extensive aerial and diver surveys identified a 500-km northerly extension to the range of C. filiformis in NSW (to 28°21′S) compared with previous records. The alga has a disjunct distribution with small isolated populations around rocky headlands in far northern NSW, but then no apparent populations for 350km southwards. The far northern populations could be the result of recent human-mediated transport (a species introduction), or were simply not detected previously. The increased distribution around the previous northerly limit is likely a natural range expansion. The distribution of C. filiformis in NSW and globally seems confined to a temperature range of ~16–23°C. We found no relationship between abundance of C. filiformis and human population or oceanic chlorophyll-a (a surrogate for nutrient availability). We demonstrate that C. filiformis is predominately subtidal, being found along sections of coastline where there is a mixture of rocky reefs and beaches. It is argued that sand movement may have facilitated increases in abundance of C. filiformis.

The Inpact of River Discharge on Distribution and Production of the School Prawn Metapenaeus macleayi (Haswell) (Crustacea : Penaeidae) in the Clarence River Region, Northern New South Wales

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Glaister
Keyword(s):  
River Discharge ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
New South ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Lunar Periodicity ◽  
South Wales ◽  
River Region ◽  
Schooling Behaviour ◽  
The Difference

Relationships between river discharge and production (catch) of the school prawn M. macleayi were examined as part of an ecological study of this species in the Clarence River region. Schooling behaviour of juvenile M. macleayi exhibited a lunar periodicity and mean daily abundance peaked 5 days after full moon. This was followed 7 days later by a peak in mean daily abundance of emigrating juvenile M. macleayi. Fluctuations in the magnitude of the oceanic component of the total annual catch were found to determine the difference between high and low production seasons. During the period examined there was a direct relationship between Clarence River discharge and the oceanic component of total production of M. macleayi, for various time periods. The absence of a persistent trend in total annual production and annual catch per unit effort of M. macleayi in the Clarence River region suggests that the stock has not been overfished. Common peaks in mean monthly oceanic production of M. macleayi off the Clarence, Evans and Richmond Rivers suggest a common enhancement of the seasonal emigration of M. macleayi from the three estuaries in November due to increased river discharges. Successive troughs and peaks in mean monthly oceanic production suggest a northwards migration of M. macleayi from the Clarence and Evans Rivers and subsequent recruitment to the Evans and Richmond ocean fisheries respectively. Results indicate the importance of river discharge to production of M. macleayi and suggest that modification of discharges by restriction of freshwater flow could adversely effect production.

Growth and migration of tagged eastern Australian king prawns, Penaeus plebejus Hess

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Glaister ◽  
T Lau ◽  
VC McDonall
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
New South ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
East Australian Current ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Apparent Relationship ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Related Mortality

Growth rates and migration of P. plebejus were investigated by a series of tagging experiments. Growth records of 157 recaptured, streamer-tagged prawns from 2450 releases were analysed for estimates of von Bertalanffy growth parameters by Fabens method. The size-age relationship differed between sexes with males attaining only 75% of the maximum size of female prawns. There was no appreciable size-related mortality of tagged individuals. Recaptured tagged prawns confirmed the previously determined northerly movement and showed little movement toward deeper water off New South Wales. Once past the easternmost point of the continent dispersal into a range of depths occurred. There was no apparent relationship between rates of movement and size, suggesting that fluctuations in the intensity of the East Australian Current were responsible for variations in these rates. Based on the results of this and other tagging studies, a two-substock hypothesis, defined by the origins of the bulk of recruits, is postulated.

scholarly journals Humans as predators on rocky reefs in New South Wales, Australia

1991 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Kingsford ◽  
AJ Underwood ◽  
SJ Kennelly
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Rocky Reefs ◽  
South Wales
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