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Viewing report
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Ecological Effects of Removing Ulva spp. from
Avon-Heathcote Estuary. Edition No. 1
VDM Publishing House, Oct 2008, Pages: 144
Macroalgal blooms are increasing world-wide and have
negative effects on benthic invertebrates and
sediments. These include loss of species diversity
and development of hostile sediment environments.
This book considers ecological effects of Ulva spp.,
and its mechanical removal on benthic invertebrates
and sediments in Avon-Heathcote Estuary, New Zealand.
Experimental removal of Ulva spp. was conducted by
mechanical broom at two sites; an open, exposed
central sand flat, and McCormacks Bay, a shallow,
sheltered mud flat. Removing Ulva spp. had several
immediate effects these included a significant
decrease in abundance of mobile epifauna and an
increase in abundance of infauna. There was no effect
of Ulva spp. removal on Austrovenus stutchburyi
condition and 46 days following removal, invertebrate
abundances approached pre-removal levels at each
site. Ulva spp. removal also caused short-term
increases in dissolved oxygen and temperature of pore
water. The greatest visual impact of removing Ulva
spp. was to sediments in McCormacks Bay from
trampling. Removal by mechanical broom was effective
and had low impact on benthic invertebrates and
physico-chemical variables.
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