Introdução da truta arco-íris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) e suas conseqüências para a comunidade aquática dos rios de altitude do sul do Brasil

A introdução de espécies exóticas é uma prática que acompanha a história da humanidade, sendo as espécies introduzidas a base da nutrição e economia em vários países. Porém, esse processo contínuo tem levado a uma homogeneização da flora e fauna global. Os ecossistemas aquáticos, que têm recebido menor atenção que os terrestres, têm sofrido perda de diversidade, hibridação, introdução de patógenos, degradação do habitat além da necessidade e alto custo de controle das espécies introduzidas. O desenvolvimento da aqüicultura tem acelerado a introdução de peixes exóticos, que são a base dessa produção em países como o Brasil. Além desta, entre as razões para a introdução citam-se o esporte, a manipulação ecológica com controle de organismos indesejáveis, o melhoramento dos estoques, a ornamentação ou ainda introduções acidentais. No Rio Grande do Sul, nos rios dos Campos de Cima da Serra estão ocorrendo introduções da espécie exótica truta arco- íris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) desde meados da década de 90 como forma de estímulo ao turismo rural. O objetivo dessa prática é a pesca esportiva, que atrai turistas de várias regiões. Porém, os rios da região possuem várias espécies de peixes endêmicas e as conseqüências dessa prática sobre a biota aquática são desconhecidas. O objetivo do presente trabalho é avaliar o efeito da introdução da truta arco-íris sobre o ecossistema de rios de baixa ordem no município de São José dos Ausentes – RS, Brasil. Para tanto foi descrita a biologia da truta arco- íris no novo ambiente, verificando sua alimentação, movimentação, presença e viabilidade da reprodução. A ictiofauna autóctone dos rios com ausência e presença de trutas foi comparada, bem como o efeito da predação sobre a macrofauna bentônica. A ictiofauna foi amostrada com o uso da pesca elétrica, sendo o conteúdo estomacal das trutas avaliado sazonalmente. Três trutas foram marcadas e acompanhadas por ii biotelemetria para determinação da sua área de vida. Um experimento com ninhos artificiais foi conduzido para verificação da sobrevivência de ovos de trutas nas condições dos rios de São José dos Ausentes. O experimento de exclusão de peixes foi feito a fim de avaliar o efeito da predação sobre a macrofauna bentônica, comparando a macrofauna em rios com e sem trutas. Os resultados indicaram que a truta arco- íris tem como alimento principal os invertebrados bentônicos, porém as maiores classes de tamanho incluem peixes em seus alimentos principais. Logo após sua introdução a movimentação é restrita, porém alguns exemplares foram capturados em um rio onde não foi feita introdução dessa espécie. Apesar de baixa, a sobrevivência dos adultos ocorre, assim como a reprodução. A sobrevivência dos ovos também é baixa, porém, uma pós-larva foi encontrada. A ictiofauna autóctone é diferenciada nos rios com presença de truta, apresentando menor riqueza e diversidade e uma tendência a diminuição da biomassa. A macrofauna bentônica também é diferenciada, apesar de não ser possível atribuir essa diferença somente à presença das trutas.

Eficiência de diferentes abordagens metodológicas e caracterização das associações macrobentônicas estuarinas da zona costeira amazônica

As associações macrobentonicas estuarinas de regiões costeiras amazônicas foram caracterizadas usando diferentes aberturas de malha e profundidades de amostragem. As amostragens aconteceram na ilha de Algodoal e península de Ajuruteua (PA), nos períodos chuvoso e seco (junho e dezembro de 2007, respectivamente), nos habitats borda do mangue, mangue, areno-lamoso e arenoso. Em cada habitat foram coletadas oito amostras biológicas, utilizando tubo cilíndrico de 0,0079 m², assim como amostras para caracterização do substrato (textura, umidade e concentrações de matéria orgânica), e concentrações de clorofila a e feopigmentos. Cada amostra biológica foi dividida em três estratos (0-5, 5-10 e 10-20 cm), sendo cada estrato peneirado em malhas de 1,0, 0,5, 0,3 e 0,25 mm de abertura. Foram utilizadas técnicas univariadas (ANOVA) e multivariadas (MDS, ANOSIM, SIMPER e BIOENV) para a analise dos dados. A macrofauna foi composta por 68 táxons com dominância de Annelida (Tubificidae e Capitellidae). As malhas de 0,3 e 0,25 mm foram as mais eficientes na retenção de organismos e espécies, enquanto a malha de 1,0 mm perdeu quantidades significativas de organismos, sobretudo de Tubificidae. As amostras coletadas a 10 e 20 cm de profundidade não diferiram significativamente quanto numero de táxons e organismos. Foram observadas variações espaciais significativas na estrutura da macrofauna entre habitats em ambos os locais e ocasiões de amostragem, com densidade e riqueza superiores nos habitats lamosos. As variáveis ambientais mais correlacionas com a fauna foram a quantidade de argila, a concentração orgânica e o teor de umidade nos sedimentos. Foi possível concluir que: 1. A fauna bentônica na ilha de Algodoal e península de Ajuruteua foi composta por poucos táxons, sendo eles tipicamente estuarinas e de pequenas dimensões, dominada por Annelida; 2. para a caracterização da macrofauna bentônica e necessário a tomada de amostras somente ate a profundidade de 10 cm de sedimento e o peneiramento em malha de 0,3 mm de abertura; 3. os habitats lamosos tiveram geralmente maiores densidades e riqueza; 4. apenas na ilha de Algodoal se observou variação temporal na estrutura da macrofauna; 5. a quantidade de argila, feopigmentos e teor de umidade nos sedimentos foram os principais fatores responsáveis pela estruturação da fauna.

O conteúdo orgânico do sedimento influencia na distribuição intraespecífica de caranguejos-chama-maré

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Long-term changes in beach fauna at Duck, North Carolina /

Long-term changes in the beach fauna at Duck, North Carolina, were investigated. Twenty-one stations located on three transects on the oceanside and twenty-four stations located on three transects on the sound side were sampled seasonally from November 1980 to July 1981. The data collected in this study were compared to a previous study conducted in 1976 (Matta, 1977) to investigate the potential effects of the construction of the CERC Field Research Facility pier on the adjacent beaches. No effects on the benthic fauna were found. Changes observed in the benthic macrofauna on the ocean beaches were well within the range attributable to the natural variation of an open coast system. The ocean beach macrofauna was observed to form a single community migrating on an off the beach with the seasons. On the sound beaches, changes were detected in the benthic macrofauna; however, these were attributed to a salinity increase during the 1981 sampling year. (Author).

Carbon analysis of surface sediments from the Laptev Se

During the past six years organic geochemical, micropaleontological, and sedimentological investigations were carried out within the framework of the multidisciplinary bilateral German-Russian research project ''System Laptev Sea'' and detailed biological investigations within the project ''German-Russian Investigations of the Marginal Seas of the Eurasian Arctic'', In order to understand the Laptev Sea ecosystem and to obtain information about sources and fate of organic carbon, the distribution of phyto- and zooplankton, diatoms, chlorophyll a benthic macrofauna, palynomorphs, grain size, total organic carbon, d13Corg and biomarkers (n-alkanes, fatty acids) were determined. In general, the influence of the major rivers draining into the Laptev Sea, is reflected in the water column as well as in the surface sediments. In both habitats three ecological provinces can be distinguished, i.e., the southeastern Laptev Sea, the central Laptev Sea, and the northern Laptev Sea. Additionally, clear differences between the western and the eastern Laptev Sea occur. The comparison of the different data sets of the water column and the surface sediments provide information about organic carbon sources and pathways in the Laptev Sea shelf and continental slope area.

An Objective Framework to Test the Quality of Candidate Indicators of Good Environmental Status

Large efforts are on-going within the EU to prepare the Marine Strategy Framework Directive’s (MSFD) assessment of the environmental status of the European seas. This assessment will only be as good as the indicators chosen to monitor the eleven descriptors of good environmental status (GEnS). An objective and transparent framework to determine whether chosen indicators actually support the aims of this policy is, however, not yet in place. Such frameworks are needed to ensure that the limited resources available to this assessment optimize the likelihood of achieving GEnS within collaborating states. Here, we developed a hypothesis-based protocol to evaluate whether candidate indicators meet quality criteria explicit to the MSFD, which the assessment community aspires to. Eight quality criteria are distilled from existing initiatives, and a testing and scoring protocol for each of them is presented. We exemplify its application in three worked examples, covering indicators for three GEnS descriptors (1, 5 and 6), various habitat components (seaweeds, seagrasses, benthic macrofauna and plankton), and assessment regions (Danish, Lithuanian and UK waters). We argue that this framework provides a necessary, transparent and standardized structure to support the comparison of candidate indicators, and the decision-making process leading to indicator selection. Its application could help identify potential limitations in currently available candidate metrics and, in such cases, help focus the development of more adequate indicators. Use of such standardized approaches will facilitate the sharing of knowledge gained across the MSFD parties despite context-specificity across assessment regions, and support the evidence-based management of European seas.

An Objective Framework to Test the Quality of Candidate Indicators of Good Environmental Status

Large efforts are on-going within the EU to prepare the Marine Strategy Framework Directive’s (MSFD) assessment of the environmental status of the European seas. This assessment will only be as good as the indicators chosen to monitor the eleven descriptors of good environmental status (GEnS). An objective and transparent framework to determine whether chosen indicators actually support the aims of this policy is, however, not yet in place. Such frameworks are needed to ensure that the limited resources available to this assessment optimize the likelihood of achieving GEnS within collaborating states. Here, we developed a hypothesis-based protocol to evaluate whether candidate indicators meet quality criteria explicit to the MSFD, which the assessment community aspires to. Eight quality criteria are distilled from existing initiatives, and a testing and scoring protocol for each of them is presented. We exemplify its application in three worked examples, covering indicators for three GEnS descriptors (1, 5 and 6), various habitat components (seaweeds, seagrasses, benthic macrofauna and plankton), and assessment regions (Danish, Lithuanian and UK waters). We argue that this framework provides a necessary, transparent and standardized structure to support the comparison of candidate indicators, and the decision-making process leading to indicator selection. Its application could help identify potential limitations in currently available candidate metrics and, in such cases, help focus the development of more adequate indicators. Use of such standardized approaches will facilitate the sharing of knowledge gained across the MSFD parties despite context-specificity across assessment regions, and support the evidence-based management of European seas.

L’ichtyofaune dans l’organisation biologique d’un système paralique de type lagunaire, la Ria d’Aveiro (Portugal), en 1987-1988 et 1999-2000

Cette étude concerne un écosystème paralique, la lagune d’Aveiro (Portugal). Elle vise à déterminer l’organisation des peuplements de poissons en fonction des caractéristiques et du fonctionnement de cet écosystème. L’ichtyofaune a été échantillonnée mensuellement en 10 stations d’août 1987 à juillet 1988 et de janvier 1999 à décembre 2000, avec une seine de plage traditionnelle. La répartition des peuplements de poissons est étudiée au moyen de descripteurs populationnels (richesses spécifique et familiale, densité, biomasse et indice de diversité) et d’analyses statistiques (groupements et ordination). La lagune d’Aveiro présente de fortes variations, dans l’espace et le temps, de ses paramètres physico- chimiques reflétant ainsi les variations climatiques annuelles. Si l’on considère la mobilité des poissons et la géomorphologie et l’hydrologie du système étudié, nous pouvions nous attendre à une forte homogénéité de la distribution des poissons. À l’inverse, une diminution de l’influence marine a pour conséquence une diminution des richesses spécifiques et familiales, de la densité et de la biomasse. Nous avons également observé une modification de composition de l’assemblage de poissons et la présence d’espèces dominantes caractéristiques des différents niveaux de confinement (taux de renouvellement des eaux marines en un point donné du système). Le peuplement de poissons présente une organisation semblable à la zonation biologique, indépendamment des paramètres physico-chimiques tels que la salinité, décrite par la macrofaune benthique et induite par le confinement. La comparaison des résultats avec des données obtenues douze ans plus tôt, montre que l’organisation générale de la lagune est demeurée inchangée, illustrant ainsi la stabilité des écosystèmes paraliques. De plus, des modifications du niveau de confinement dans les marges nord et sud, induites principalement par des changements locaux de l’hydrodynamisme, ont été constatées. Le déconfinement de la zone nord est la conséquence de l’entretien des canaux de navigation par dragage. À l’inverse, le confinement de la zone sud est l’évolution naturelle des bassins paraliques soumis souvent à une sédimentation élevée et rapide. Cette étude montre que l’organisation du peuplement de poissons valide le concept du confinement pour l’organisation biologique des milieux paraliques, et peut être employé pour expliquer les changements de ces écosystèmes.

Site n°5. The Pertuis Breton (Bay of Biscay) France

1.This report presents the results of a field study conducted in the ECASA test site nOS in the Pertuis Breton, France. The site is located on the Atlantic West coasts. It is open to the bay of Biscay, but is slightly protected against westerly winds. The bay has been exploited by intertidal mussels culture for centuries. 2. Within the bay, mussels (Mytilus edulis) are cultivated either by the traditional pole technique, around the bay or on longlines in the centre of the bay. The area occupied by these longline s represents 250 ha, and the resulting annual production is 1 000 tonnes of mussels. The average depth at mid tide is of 13.8 m. The sediment is sandy, with a small fraction of mud. 3. The site is subject to several regular monitoring through the local implementation of national networks aiming at protecting the environment and marine resources, on pollutants (RNO), microbiological quality of the waters (REMI), phytoplanktonic toxic species (REPHY) and growth and mortality of molluscs (REMORA). Benthic macrofauna was studied in 1976. 4. Five sampling sations were chosen along a line, starting under the longlines, and at distances of 50, 100, 200, and 400 metres from the area cultivated. A reference station was chosen in a different direction at 2300 metres of the cultivated area. Sampling methods are described in the text. _Sediments were sampled for different analyses: grain size, content in organic matter, total organic carbon and nitrogen, and phytic pigments (chlorophyll a and phaeopigments). Redox were measured in cores. The macrofauna living into the sediment was also sampled. The water column was sampled for physical (temperature, transparency) and chemical parametres, including oxygen content, salinity, organic matter, dissolved nitrogen forms, phosphates and silicates. Results from benthic macrofauna surveys indicate that there were no significant differences between the different stations and the reference station, all being classified as slightly disturbed. The bay is submitted to freshwater runoffs from two adjacent rivers. 7. The sediment is slightly modified by the culture of bivalves. Total organic carbon, total nitrogen, Eh values and pheopigments were significantly higher under the trestles than in any other stations. Other stations often did not differ from the reference station. 8. The effects of shellfish culture on the water column were. However, it was observed a small decrease of the food available to the molluscs near the rearing 9. The DEB model was able to describe and predict adequately the growth of oysters, both in the Baie des Veys and in the Loch Creran. The parametres for its use in other environment are given, but a tuning of one parametre should be performed with the help of authors. 10. Among the indicators and models for use in are as of intertidal bivalve culture, it is recommended to use the sediment quality index, TOC (Total Organic Carbon), redox and pheopigments, in surficial sediment, AMBI for the macrofauna, chlorophyll a contents and nitrogen forms in the water column, and models describing the carrying capacity, filtration rate of molluscs, and a DEB model to predict the growth of molluscs.

Biomonitoramento da comunidade de macroinvertebrados de um reservatório de abastecimento público no sul do Brasil

The faunal inventory of the macroinvertebrate community is important to the environmental assessment, since this biota is sensitive to human disturbance. The reservoir of Rio Verde, located on the first plateau of Paraná, is inserted into an agricultural region with several forest fragments Araucaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental integrity of the reservoir through ecological indexes of macroinvertebrate community benthic and associated with macrophytes. Five sampling points were defined in the study area, which comprise distinct microhabitats in the basin. There were four sampling campaigns, each by weather station: Spring (2014); Summer (2015); Autumn (2015) and Winter (2015). In each sample were measured abiotic various parameters in the field and be collected water samples for nutrient analysis in the laboratory. The macroinvertebrates were collected in triplicate at adapted Macan method using mesh sieve 1 mm and CPUE (catch per unit effort) for 20 minutes. In order to pellet sample was used a dredger model Petersen 2L. Still in the field, by season, samples were collected from macrophytes Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell) Verdc. and Potamogeton montevidensis A. Benn. in triplicates in the fluvial region of the reservoir, to analyze the associated fractal dimension and macrofauna. For this we used a PVC sampler specific volume 0.025 m3. the following ecological descriptors were calculated in each case: abundance, wealth tax, wealth Margalef, Shannon-Wiener diversity, evenness evenness through the Past software. The index Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) for monitoring sampling points was also calculated. Regarding the statistical analysis, we used the analysis of PERMANOVA to compare points and seasons and canonical correspondence analysis (CCoA) for variables. Regarding M. aquaticum and P. montevidensis it was not verified difference to the average associated macroinvertebrates. However there was a difference for abundance of organisms in the fractal dimension and biomass of specimens. M. aquaticum is more complex and took more macrofauna in relation to P. montevidensis. Regarding the monitoring of the reservoir, it showed up mesotrophic with moderate nutrient concentrations and within the regulatory limits. Benthic macrofauna showed statistical differences in relation to the reservoir region, sample point and temporal variation. The BMWP index showed that the river region has the highest biotic integrity (in all samples above 70 points), and the ecological descriptors of wealth and Margalef diversity of Shannon- Wiener higher. In point 4 (dam downstream) were recorded evidence of possible impacts due to lower wealth and BMWP index which resulted in a questionable quality water. New approaches are needed to focus on the aquatic community in the best understanding of this ecosystem and also with a view to environmental preservation of the Green River Basin.

Dinâmica dos nutrientes na Ria Formosa: efeitos da interacçäo da laguna com as suas interfaces na reciclagem do azoto, fósforo e sílica

Tese de dout. em Ciências do Mar, Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar, Univ. do Algarve, 1996