Meiofauna communities’ response to an anthropogenic pressure: The case study of green macroalgal bloom on sandy beach in Brittany

Type Article
Date 2019-10
Language English
Author(s) Baldrighi Elisa1, Grall Jacques2, Quillien Nolwenn3, 4, Carriço Rita2, Verdon Valentin2, Zeppilli DanielaORCID1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Ifremer Brest, REM/EEP, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
2 : Observatoire, Séries Faune-Flore, UMS 3113 CNRS, Institut Universitaire Européen de La Mer, Rue Dumont D’Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
3 : Observatoire des Sciences de La Mer et de L'univers, UMS 3113, Institut Universitaire Europeen de La Mer, Plouzane, France
4 : ESE, Ecology and Ecosystem Health, Agrocampus Ouest, INRA, 35042, Rennes, France
Source Estuarine Coastal And Shelf Science (0272-7714) (Elsevier BV), 2019-10 , Vol. 227 , P. 106326 (14p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106326
WOS© Times Cited 8
Keyword(s) Meiofauna, Macroalgal bloom, Sandy beach, Nematodes, Brittany, Anthropogenic impact, Ulva spp
Abstract

Open sandy beaches support key ecological functions and a distinctive biodiversity, but are threatened by an increasing anthropogenic pressure. Among these threats is the occurrence of green tides of Ulva spp., expression of the eutrophication phenomenon. Our study aimed at determining the impact of green macroalgal accumulations on benthic meiofauna inhabiting two macrotidal sandy beaches of Brittany: Saint Nic (impacted) and Anse de Dinan (unimpacted). The presence of Ulva enhanced total meiofaunal abundance and nematode functional diversity when compared to a state free from macroalgal mats. The stranded Ulva supported high values of meiofaunal β-diversity as well. This unexpected response was likely due to the highly dynamic nature of open sandy beaches that prevents O2 depletion within sediments. Natural seasonal changes in meiofaunal biomass and composition were also evident at both beaches and changes in environmental features, apart from eutrophication alone, do drive the variability in meiofaunal biomass and nematodes diversity.

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Baldrighi Elisa, Grall Jacques, Quillien Nolwenn, Carriço Rita, Verdon Valentin, Zeppilli Daniela (2019). Meiofauna communities’ response to an anthropogenic pressure: The case study of green macroalgal bloom on sandy beach in Brittany. Estuarine Coastal And Shelf Science, 227, 106326 (14p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2019.106326 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00509/62069/