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Habitat loss and gain: Influence on habitat attractiveness for estuarine fish communities

Amorim, Eva; Ramos, Sandra; Elliott, Michael; Franco, Anita; Bordalo, Adriano A.

Authors

Eva Amorim

Sandra Ramos

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Professor Mike Elliott Mike.Elliott@hull.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor of Estuarine and Coastal Sciences/ Research Professor, Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies

Anita Franco

Adriano A. Bordalo



Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Habitat structure and complexity influence the structuring and functioning of fish communities. Habitat changes are one of the main pressures affecting estuarine systems worldwide, yet the degree and rate of change and its impact on fish communities is still poorly understood. In order to quantify historical modifications in habitat structure, an ecohydrological classification system using physiotopes, i.e. units with homogenous abiotic characteristics, was developed for the lower Lima estuary (NW Portugal). Field data, aerial imagery, historical maps and interpolation methods were used to map input variables, including bathymetry, substratum (hard/soft), sediment composition, hydrodynamics (current velocity) and vegetation coverage. Physiotopes were then mapped for the years of 1933 and 2013 and the areas lost and gained over the 80 years were quantified. The implications of changes for the benthic and demersal fish communities using the lower estuary were estimated using the attractiveness to those communities of each physiotope, while considering the main estuarine habitat functions for fish, namely spawning, nursery, feeding and refuge areas and migratory routes. The lower estuary was highly affected due to urbanisation and development and, following a port/harbour expansion, its boundary moved seaward causing an increase in total area. Modifications led to the loss of most of its sandy and saltmarsh intertidal physiotopes, which were replaced by deeper subtidal physiotopes. The most attractive physiotopes for fish (defined as the way in which they supported the fish ecological features) decreased in area while less attractive ones increased, producing an overall lower attractiveness of the studied area in 2013 compared to 1933. The implications of habitat alterations for the fish using the estuary include potential changes in the nursery carrying capacity and the functioning of the fish community. The study also highlighted the poor knowledge of the impacts of habitat changes on fish due to coastal development and urbanisation and emphasises that ecosystem management and conservation will benefit from a wider understanding of habitat functional roles and habitat changes influencing the functioning and structure of the fish communities.

Citation

Amorim, E., Ramos, S., Elliott, M., Franco, A., & Bordalo, A. A. (2017). Habitat loss and gain: Influence on habitat attractiveness for estuarine fish communities. Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, 197, 244-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2017.08.043

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 23, 2017
Online Publication Date Aug 26, 2017
Publication Date Oct 15, 2017
Deposit Date Aug 31, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Estuarine, coastal and shelf science
Print ISSN 0272-7714
Electronic ISSN 1096-0015
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 197
Pages 244-257
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2017.08.043
Keywords Estuaries; Habitat changes; Fish habitat attractiveness; Physiotopes
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/454428
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771417303323
Additional Information This is the accepted manuscript of an article published in Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, 2017. The version of record is available at the DOI link in this record.

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