Function of estuaries and coastal areas as nursery grounds for marine fish early life stages. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guerreiro, Milene Alexandra; Martinho, Filipe; Baptista, Joana; Costa, Filipe; Pardal, Miguel Ângelo; Primo, Ana Lígia
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 170(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Ichthyoplankton -- Fish recruitment -- Life history -- Estuaries -- Coastal zone -- Environmental factors; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: The present study describes the larval and juvenile fish fauna of an estuary and its adjacent coastal area (Mondego estuary, Northwest coast of Portugal) and evaluates their function as nurseries for marine fish. For this, larvae and juveniles were sampled in both systems. The temporal and spatial patterns of the ichthyoplankton community were described for each system and related to the influence of environmental factors. Additionally, the recruitment pattern was evaluated based on the composition of juveniles. Results show a seasonal variation of larval density and community structure between and within systems, indicating a degree of segregation according to their ecological functional classification. Temperature was the most important environmental factor structuring the communities. The juvenile recruitment patterns observed show a different nursery function of the estuary and coastal area for early life stages of different species, reinforcing the need to integrate larval and juvenile stages to better understand fish life cycles and the connectivity between systems. Highlights: Fish early life stages were studied in an estuary and adjacent coastal area. Ichthyoplankton show distinct communities according to season and system. Ichthyoplankton communities were mainly influenced by temperature. Different nursery function of coastal and estuarine areas for fish.