Spatial-seasonal variability of vertebrate assemblages in a Neotropical tidal flat: Recommendations for monitoring the potential impacts of port expansion

Author(s)

Contente, Riguel F. ^{[1, 2]} ; Mancini, Patricia Luciano ^{[3, 4]} ; Vaz-dos-Santos, Andre Martins ^[5] ; Hashimoto Soares, Lucy Satiko ^[1] ; Fischer, Luciano Gomes ^[4] ; Silveira, Luis Fabio ^[3] ; Brenha-Nunes, Marina Rito ^[1] ; Romagosa, Elizabeth ^[6] ; Rossi-Wongtschowski, Carmen L. D. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Oceanog, Praca Oceanog, 191, Cidade Univ, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Inst Fed Educ Ciencia & Tecnol Para, Campus Maraba Ind, Folha 22, Quadra Especial Lote 2, BR-68508970 Maraba, PA - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, Av Nazare 481, BR-04263000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biodiversidade & Sustentabilidade NUPEM, Av Sao Jose do Barreto 764, BR-27965045 Macae, RJ - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Parana, Dept Biodiversidade, Lab Esclerocronol, Rua Pioneiro 2153, BR-85950000 Palotina, PR - Brazil

^[6] Inst Pesca, Av Francisco Matarazzo, 455 Parque Agua Branca, BR-05001970 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE; v. 34, FEB 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Our study aimed to understand the nekton biodiversity of a Neotropical tidal flat in southeastern Brazil (Araca Bay) and to support its conservation, due to a potential port expansion, by determining: (1) the structure of the local assemblage of nekton (birds, fishes and turtles); (2) its spatial and seasonal variability; (3) potential processes explaining such variability; and (4) the impacts and monitoring measures related to port expansion. Araca Bay has a high vertebrate richness (205 species, consisting of at least 126 fishes, 78 birds and one turtle species), two invasive fish species, 11 endangered species, a large abundance of target species in fisheries, and a high functional diversity in terms of life history and feeding habits. Mullets, mojarras, sardines and gobies dominate the fish assemblage, while the avifauna is mainly composed of herons and plovers. Green turtles (juveniles) were registered during high tides in all seasons. The low-tide bird and high-tide fish assemblages are spatially structured varying between the inner and the outer area of the flat. In tide pools, fish fauna varies according to bottom type. Juvenile fish predominate; fish assemblage varied according to recruitment and bird's varied seasonally due to migration. The unique mosaic of habitats and the high productivity of the bay explain the high nekton diversity and make it a locally critical ecosystem for feeding, breeding, and growth. The port expansion would decrease the habitat diversity and productivity in the bay, negatively affecting nekton populations and their ecosystem services. We propose key aspects for nekton monitoring to mitigate port-related impacts. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/50317-5 - Biodiversity and functioning of a subtropical coastal ecosystem: a contribution to integrated management
• Grantee: Antonia Cecília Zacagnini Amaral
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/19435-7 - Characterization of ecological patterns of the ichthyofauna of Bay of Araçá (Southeastern Brazilian coast) through the complementarity among analytical methods and samplers
• Grantee: Ríguel Feltrin Contente
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/00194-2 - The composition, abundance, habitat use and trophic relationships by the avian community of Araçá Bay (southeast coast of Brazil
• Grantee: Patrícia Luciano Mancini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral