Ecological Studies of the Mangrove-Associated Meiofauna in Southeast Queensland, Australia
Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Lee, Shing
Fry, Brian
Year published
2016
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Meiofauna are ubiquitous but poorly-studied components of soft-bottom marine communities around the world, including mangroves. However, information on the ecological role of the meiofauna in subtropical intertidal habitats is scarce compared to knowledge of the benthic macrofauna. The dynamic environmental conditions and heterogeneous sediments of mangroves present challenges to understanding the structure of mangrove meiofaunal assemblages at various spatial and temporal scales. This study was designed to elucidate the ecological role of the meiofauna in mangroves by studying their three main ecological elements: 1) ...
View more >Meiofauna are ubiquitous but poorly-studied components of soft-bottom marine communities around the world, including mangroves. However, information on the ecological role of the meiofauna in subtropical intertidal habitats is scarce compared to knowledge of the benthic macrofauna. The dynamic environmental conditions and heterogeneous sediments of mangroves present challenges to understanding the structure of mangrove meiofaunal assemblages at various spatial and temporal scales. This study was designed to elucidate the ecological role of the meiofauna in mangroves by studying their three main ecological elements: 1) assemblages structure; 2) top-down interaction with macrofauna; and 3) bottom-up interaction in terms of nutrient utilisation. Firstly, how meiofaunal assemblage respond to estuarine sediment conditions was described by analysing the assemblages associated with different mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa and Aegiceras corniculatum) at three locations in sub-tropical Southeast Queensland, Australia. Secondly, the significance and nature of top-down control on the density of meiofauna based on their interactions with deposit- feeding crabs was investigated in a mangrove and the adjoining sandflat.
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View more >Meiofauna are ubiquitous but poorly-studied components of soft-bottom marine communities around the world, including mangroves. However, information on the ecological role of the meiofauna in subtropical intertidal habitats is scarce compared to knowledge of the benthic macrofauna. The dynamic environmental conditions and heterogeneous sediments of mangroves present challenges to understanding the structure of mangrove meiofaunal assemblages at various spatial and temporal scales. This study was designed to elucidate the ecological role of the meiofauna in mangroves by studying their three main ecological elements: 1) assemblages structure; 2) top-down interaction with macrofauna; and 3) bottom-up interaction in terms of nutrient utilisation. Firstly, how meiofaunal assemblage respond to estuarine sediment conditions was described by analysing the assemblages associated with different mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa and Aegiceras corniculatum) at three locations in sub-tropical Southeast Queensland, Australia. Secondly, the significance and nature of top-down control on the density of meiofauna based on their interactions with deposit- feeding crabs was investigated in a mangrove and the adjoining sandflat.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Griffith School of Environment
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Meiofauna
Mangroves ecology
Estuarine sediments