Influence of spatial heterogeneity of artificial reefs on food sources and trophic levels of marine animals based on stable isotope ratios. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Zhipeng; Zhang, Huaqing; Yu, Daode; Song, Jingjing; Zhou, Jian; Liu, Hongjun; Zhao, Xinyu; Jiang, Yongshun; Wang, Mingqi
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 118(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Artificial reefs -- Food source -- Stable isotope -- Trophic level -- Zoarces elongatus; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106779
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: Food sources and trophic levels of marine animals were studied using stable isotopes. The trophic levels of all species were highest in March and lowest in November. Within two years following, trophic levels of fish first decreased and then increase. Zoarces elongates adapted to the reef area faster than other fish. Abstract: The food sources and trophic levels of four species of fish ( Hexagrammos otakii, Pholos fangi, Sebastes schlegelii, Zoarces elongates ) and six species of invertebrates ( Octopus variabilis, Rapana venosa, Oratosquilla oratoria, Alpheus japonicus, Alpheus distinguendus, Charybdis japonica ) prior to and following the formation of spatial heterogeneity of artificial reefs (ARs) were studied using stable isotopes. The trophic levels of fishes were significantly higher than those of invertebrates ( P < 0.01). The trend of all 10 species occupies a higher trophic levels in March, and showed lower trophic levels in November. Following the formation of spatial heterogeneity, the trophic levels of fishes decreased significantly and did not increase until next year. One year following the formation, the food sources of Z. elongatus were significantly different from the other three kinds of fish. And its trophic level was significantly higher than the other three kinds of fish and also significantly higher than itself prior to the formation. This means Z. elongatus has already adapted to the ARs, where they can maintain high trophic levels. Within two years following the formation, the trophic levels of 10 species marine animals gradually reached a new steady state. This study revealed the effects of the spatial heterogeneity of artificial reefs on marine animals from the perspective of ecosystem structure.