E-Thesis 193 views 223 downloads
Changes in Community structure and dominance triggered by seasonal and abiotic differences in saline lagoons / AMELIA JONES
Swansea University Author: AMELIA JONES
Abstract
The geographical distribution of species across habitats depends on the environmental conditions and biotic interactions. In coastal saline lagoons environmental conditions are highly variable due to influxes of both salt and freshwater. Despite this, many species periodically enter saline lagoons,...
| Published: |
Swansea University, Wales, UK
2025
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MRes |
| Supervisor: | Lurgi, M., and Esteban, N. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69056 |
| Abstract: |
The geographical distribution of species across habitats depends on the environmental conditions and biotic interactions. In coastal saline lagoons environmental conditions are highly variable due to influxes of both salt and freshwater. Despite this, many species periodically enter saline lagoons, dependant on the conditions, marine, estuarine and freshwater species have all been recorded in these habitats. Lagoonal communities are characterised by euryhaline lagoonal specialist that are adapted to tolerate the environmental variation. However little is known about how fish and invertebrate communities react to environmental change, specifically over short term changes during different periods of salt water flooding. Here we show how the community as a whole and how fish and invertebrate species individually respond to these changes.Seasonality was the only temporal influence on community structure, however species abundance was impacted by both month and flooding phase. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and turbidity all influenced community structure, however invertebrate and fish communities were impacted differently. Fish abundance increased by an average of 202% when dissolved oxygen concentration increased from 3 to 8 mg l-1, but fish diversity decreased with increasing oxygen. Temperature and fish diversity were positively correlated increasing by 49% from 10 to 15°C. Invertebrate abundance was positively correlated with salinity, increasing by 55% between 2 and 4 PSU, but negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen. Increase invertebrate diversity was only significantly linked to a decrease in chlorophyll fluorescence. There was a negative correlation between fish and invertebrate abundance, but this was not significant.This study highlights the varied impact of environmental factors on community structures, emphasising the need for tailored management strategies in naturally stressed saline lagoons. These ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change and eutrophication due to their small volume and isolated nature. By understanding how communities respond to environmental change, we can manage these habitats more effectively and restore the biodiversity of specialised and protected species. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information |
| Keywords: |
Community ecology, environmental change, saline lagoon, fish, invertebrates |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |