A review of the ecology and management of temporarily open/closed estuaries in South Africa, with particular emphasis on river flow and mouth state as primary drivers of these systems
- Whitfield, Alan K, Bate, G C, Adams, Janine B, Cowley, Paul D, Froneman, P William, Gama, P T, Strydom, Nadine A, Taljaard, S, Theron, A K, Turpie, J K, Van Niekerk, L, Wooldridge, T H
- Authors: Whitfield, Alan K , Bate, G C , Adams, Janine B , Cowley, Paul D , Froneman, P William , Gama, P T , Strydom, Nadine A , Taljaard, S , Theron, A K , Turpie, J K , Van Niekerk, L , Wooldridge, T H
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480849 , vital:78487 , https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2012.675041
- Description: Research in South African temporarily open/closed estuaries that includes studies on the hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics, macronutrients, microalgae, macrophytes, zoobenthos, hyperbenthos, zooplankton, ichthyoplankton, fishes and birds is used as a basis to review the ecology and management of this estuary type on the subcontinent. Particular attention is given to the responses of the different ecosystem components to the opening and closing of the estuary mouth and how this is driven by riverine and marine events, as well as anthropogenic influences. In addition, the wider implications of these research findings for the management of temporarily open/closed estuaries in terms of freshwater supply are explored, together with the role of government legislation in maintaining the ecological integrity of these important wetland systems.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Whitfield, Alan K , Bate, G C , Adams, Janine B , Cowley, Paul D , Froneman, P William , Gama, P T , Strydom, Nadine A , Taljaard, S , Theron, A K , Turpie, J K , Van Niekerk, L , Wooldridge, T H
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480849 , vital:78487 , https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2012.675041
- Description: Research in South African temporarily open/closed estuaries that includes studies on the hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics, macronutrients, microalgae, macrophytes, zoobenthos, hyperbenthos, zooplankton, ichthyoplankton, fishes and birds is used as a basis to review the ecology and management of this estuary type on the subcontinent. Particular attention is given to the responses of the different ecosystem components to the opening and closing of the estuary mouth and how this is driven by riverine and marine events, as well as anthropogenic influences. In addition, the wider implications of these research findings for the management of temporarily open/closed estuaries in terms of freshwater supply are explored, together with the role of government legislation in maintaining the ecological integrity of these important wetland systems.
- Full Text:
Effects of altered estuarine submerged macrophyte bed cover on the omnivorous Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi
- Sheppard, Jill N, Whitfield, Alan K, Cowley, Paul D, Hill, Jaclyn M
- Authors: Sheppard, Jill N , Whitfield, Alan K , Cowley, Paul D , Hill, Jaclyn M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444676 , vital:74259 , https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.03197.x
- Description: The ecological importance of submerged macrophyte beds to fishes within estuaries was investigated through the example of the ubiquitous Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi, an omnivorous, vegetation and estuary‐dependent species, using stable‐isotope techniques and long‐term abundance (catch‐per‐unit‐effort) data from the East Kleinemonde Estuary, South Africa. Outputs from a Bayesian mixing model using δ13C and δ15N signatures indicated that the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Potamogeton pectinatus were not a primary source of nutrition for R. holubi, confirming previous work that revealed that macrophytes are consumed but not digested. Long‐term seine netting data showed reduced abundance of R. holubi during a prolonged period of macrophyte senescence, suggesting that submerged macrophyte habitats provide shelter that reduces mortality (predation risk) and a food‐rich foraging area.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sheppard, Jill N , Whitfield, Alan K , Cowley, Paul D , Hill, Jaclyn M
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444676 , vital:74259 , https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.03197.x
- Description: The ecological importance of submerged macrophyte beds to fishes within estuaries was investigated through the example of the ubiquitous Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi, an omnivorous, vegetation and estuary‐dependent species, using stable‐isotope techniques and long‐term abundance (catch‐per‐unit‐effort) data from the East Kleinemonde Estuary, South Africa. Outputs from a Bayesian mixing model using δ13C and δ15N signatures indicated that the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Potamogeton pectinatus were not a primary source of nutrition for R. holubi, confirming previous work that revealed that macrophytes are consumed but not digested. Long‐term seine netting data showed reduced abundance of R. holubi during a prolonged period of macrophyte senescence, suggesting that submerged macrophyte habitats provide shelter that reduces mortality (predation risk) and a food‐rich foraging area.
- Full Text:
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