Role of drift algae for benthic faunal communities in sandy shores

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18735
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Aquatic bioproduction science
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: KON Koetsu 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 助教 (40626868)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 砂浜 / 異地性流入 / 底生動物 / 群集構造 / 漂着海藻

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I have investigated the effects of drift resources (algae, terrestrial plants, and artificial materials) on benthic faunal community structures of sandy beaches on the Izu Peninsula in Japan. I have compared the faunal species richness, abundance, and species composition between drift materials’ and bare habitats. The results have indicated that drift algal habitat significantly enhanced the faunal abundance and diversity. Furthermore, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses have revealed that sandy beach fauna utilized drift algae as a food resource. However, field manipulated experiment has not shown any importance of drift algae as a spatial resource for benthic faunal communities. Overall, drift algae can function as a food resource for sandy beach communities and support the faunal abundance and diversity.

Free Research Field

海洋生態学