O presente estudo compreendeu : a caracterização dos estuários de Santos/São Vicente e Cananéia quanto ao processo de contaminação; e o estudo de biomarcadores somáticos, bioquímicos, genotóxicos e morfológicos em Cathorops spixii. Os resultados hidroquímicos, nutrientes e concentração de mercúrio total confirmaram a maior influência humana no estuário de Santos/São Vicente, principalmente na área mais interna do sistema, em comparação com a baixa influência antropogênica do estuário de Cananéia. Os dados de mercúrio total no músculo de C. spixii corroboram as características de bioindicador desta espécie. A associação entre os valores de FACs e os diferentes componentes do sistema oxigenase de função múltipla (MFO) reforçam a influência de contaminação por compostos orgânicos, principalmente no Canal de Santos. Os dados de catalase e peroxidação lipídica não indicaram a presença de estresse oxidativo decorrente da exposição aos múltiplos xenobiontes. Glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e -aminolevulinato desidratase (ALAD) não mostraram respostas satisfatórias quanto à sua utilização como biomarcador em C. spixii. Entretanto, metalotioneínas (MTs) foram induzidas nos peixes de Santos/São Vicente. Alterações nucleares, confirmam sua utilidade em estudo de biomonitoramento para detecção de genotoxicidade. Colinesterase e alterações histopatológicas foram satisfatórias como biomarcadores neurotóxicos e morfológicos. A elevada ocorrência de áreas de necrose em C. spixii amostrados no estuário de Santos/São Vicente refletem condições desestabilizadoras para estes organismos. O padrão de infestação parasitária, associado à histopatologia e estresse oxidativo, sugerem a utilização de parasitos como biomarcadores em C. spixii. De maneria geral, C. spixii foi responsivo aos biomarcadores de efeito e exposição considerados neste estudo, o que vem sugerir sua utilização como organismo sentinela em programas de biomonitoramento nos estuários de Santos/São Vicente e Cananéia. / The aim of this study was to characterize the contamination processes in Santos/São Vicente and Cananéia estuaries; and to study somatic, biochemical, genotoxic and morphological biomarkers in Cathorops spixii. The results of hydrochemistry, nutrients and total mercury concentration confirmed the largest human influence in Santos/São Vicente estuary, mainly in the internal area overall when compared to Cananéia, an estuary under more natural conditions. Data of total mercury in muscle of C. spixii showed the bioindicador characteristics of this species. The association between fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) values and the different components of the multiple function oxigenases (MFO) system reinforces the influence of contamination by organic compounds, mainly in Santos Canal. Catalase and lipid peroxidation data did not indicate the presence of oxidative stress due to exposure to multiple foreign agents. Glutahione-S-transferase (GST) and -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) did not show conclusive answers as biomarkers in C. spixii. However, metallothioneins (MTs) were induced in fish from Santos/São Vicente. The cholinesterase and histopathological alterations were satisfactory as neurotoxic and morphological biomarkers. The high occurrence of necrosis areas verified in the C. Spixii collected in the Santos/São Vicente estuary reflects unbalanced environmental conditions for these organisms. The histopathology and oxidative stress associated to parasitic infestation suggest that the presence of parasites can be used as a biomarker in C. spixii. In general, C. Spixii was responsive to the effect and exposure biomarkers considered in this study, which suggests their use as sentinel organisms in biomonitoring programs in the Santos/São Vicente and Cananéia estuaries.

Understanding and resolving the water quality problems that Florida Bay has endured requires an understanding of its salinity drivers. Because salinity is the prime factor that drives estuarine ecosystem, Florida Bay’s ecosystem health depends on the correct salinity balance of the Bay. In this thesis, the Regional Oceanic Modeling System - a hydrodynamic prognostic model -was implemented on Florida Bay and it was tailored for shallow waters. Results show that the model captures most of the salinity spatial and temporal variability of Florida Bay. Furthermore, it establishes the role of the major drivers like evaporation, precipitation, and runoff on Florida Bay’s salinity. The model resolves region specific salinity drivers in all four areas of Florida Bay characterized by their own salinity regimes. The model was also able to reveal the impact of surface runoff on salinity in the later part of the year when evaporation increases. A new technique was developed to estimate the discharge and salinity of unmonitored small creeks north of Florida Bay. Those data were estimated from the relationship between net freshwater flux, runoff, and salinity. Model results revealed the importance of accounting for these small creeks to accurately simulate Florida Bay’s salinity. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

O presente estudo compreendeu : a caracterização dos estuários de Santos/São Vicente e Cananéia quanto ao processo de contaminação; e o estudo de biomarcadores somáticos, bioquímicos, genotóxicos e morfológicos em Cathorops spixii. Os resultados hidroquímicos, nutrientes e concentração de mercúrio total confirmaram a maior influência humana no estuário de Santos/São Vicente, principalmente na área mais interna do sistema, em comparação com a baixa influência antropogênica do estuário de Cananéia. Os dados de mercúrio total no músculo de C. spixii corroboram as características de bioindicador desta espécie. A associação entre os valores de FACs e os diferentes componentes do sistema oxigenase de função múltipla (MFO) reforçam a influência de contaminação por compostos orgânicos, principalmente no Canal de Santos. Os dados de catalase e peroxidação lipídica não indicaram a presença de estresse oxidativo decorrente da exposição aos múltiplos xenobiontes. Glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e -aminolevulinato desidratase (ALAD) não mostraram respostas satisfatórias quanto à sua utilização como biomarcador em C. spixii. Entretanto, metalotioneínas (MTs) foram induzidas nos peixes de Santos/São Vicente. Alterações nucleares, confirmam sua utilidade em estudo de biomonitoramento para detecção de genotoxicidade. Colinesterase e alterações histopatológicas foram satisfatórias como biomarcadores neurotóxicos e morfológicos. A elevada ocorrência de áreas de necrose em C. spixii amostrados no estuário de Santos/São Vicente refletem condições desestabilizadoras para estes organismos. O padrão de infestação parasitária, associado à histopatologia e estresse oxidativo, sugerem a utilização de parasitos como biomarcadores em C. spixii. De maneria geral, C. spixii foi responsivo aos biomarcadores de efeito e exposição considerados neste estudo, o que vem sugerir sua utilização como organismo sentinela em programas de biomonitoramento nos estuários de Santos/São Vicente e Cananéia. / The aim of this study was to characterize the contamination processes in Santos/São Vicente and Cananéia estuaries; and to study somatic, biochemical, genotoxic and morphological biomarkers in Cathorops spixii. The results of hydrochemistry, nutrients and total mercury concentration confirmed the largest human influence in Santos/São Vicente estuary, mainly in the internal area overall when compared to Cananéia, an estuary under more natural conditions. Data of total mercury in muscle of C. spixii showed the bioindicador characteristics of this species. The association between fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) values and the different components of the multiple function oxigenases (MFO) system reinforces the influence of contamination by organic compounds, mainly in Santos Canal. Catalase and lipid peroxidation data did not indicate the presence of oxidative stress due to exposure to multiple foreign agents. Glutahione-S-transferase (GST) and -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) did not show conclusive answers as biomarkers in C. spixii. However, metallothioneins (MTs) were induced in fish from Santos/São Vicente. The cholinesterase and histopathological alterations were satisfactory as neurotoxic and morphological biomarkers. The high occurrence of necrosis areas verified in the C. Spixii collected in the Santos/São Vicente estuary reflects unbalanced environmental conditions for these organisms. The histopathology and oxidative stress associated to parasitic infestation suggest that the presence of parasites can be used as a biomarker in C. spixii. In general, C. Spixii was responsive to the effect and exposure biomarkers considered in this study, which suggests their use as sentinel organisms in biomonitoring programs in the Santos/São Vicente and Cananéia estuaries.

Resumo: A salmonelose é uma das doenças de origem alimentar mais freqüente e considerada uma das zoonoses mais relevantes para a saúde pública em todo o mundo. A Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) assinalou aumento alarmante de estirpes de Salmonella resistentes aos antibióticos devido ao seu uso abusivo em criações intensivas, especialmente nas aquícolas. Diante do exposto, o escopo deste trabalho foi o de isolar e identificar a resistência plasmidial em bactérias do gênero Salmonella, em amostras de água de dois ambientes estuarinos, um do Norte (Acaraú) e outro do Sul (Jaguaribe) do Estado do Ceará, ambos com atividades de carcinicultura. Durante sete meses, de novembro de 2006 a maio de 2007, foram coletadas 84 amostras de água dos dois estuários. A pesquisa de Salmonella seguiu a metodologia do "Bacteriological Analytical Manual". As salmonelas foram testadas quanto à susceptibilidade a dez antimicrobianos: Ácido nalidíxico, Ampicilina, Ciprofloxacina, Ceftriazona, Cloranfenicol, Gentamicina, Imipenem, Nitrofurantoína, Sulfametoxazol e Tetraciclina. A Concentração Inibitória Mínima dos antibióticos seguiu a técnica de macrodiluição em caldo. Em atividade de base, mediu-se o pH, a temperatura e a salinidade da água. Foram confirmadas 103 cepas de Salmonella, 90 no Rio Acaraú e 13 no Rio Jaguaribe, pertencentes aos sorovares: S. Newport, S. Saintpaul, S. Panama, S. Rubislaw, S Albany, S. Anatum, S. Corvallis, S. Madelia. O Rio Acaraú apresentou-se mais contaminado do que o Rio Jaguaribe, onde foram encontradas cepas resistentes a antimicrobianos, com um percentual de 25% para resistência plasmidial, e 75% para a cromossômica. Esses resultados ressaltam dois problemas de saúde pública: a presença de cepas de Salmonella resistentes e a possibilidade de contaminação humana pelo consumo dos crustáceos. Somado a isso,...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases, was considered and the most important for public health authorities throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently drew attention to the rapid increase in Salmonella strains resistant to antibiotics employed in farming activities, especially in aquaculture. Thus, the objective of this study was to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella strains isolated from water samples collected in the estuaries of the Acaraú and Jaguaribe rivers (respectively in the north and south of Ceará State, Brazil), both of which are subject to extensive shrimp farming. Eighty-four samples were collected between November 2006 and May 2007. The susceptibility tests were performed following the guidelines of the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM). The strains were exposed to 10 different antibiotics: nalidixic acid, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, imipenem, nitrofurantoin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the antibiotics was determined with the broth macrodilution method. In base activity, mensure the factores as Temperature, salinity and pH values were registered for all water samples. One hundred three Salmonella strains were isolated (Acaraú n=90; Jaguaribe n=13) belonging to the serotypes S. Newport, S. Saintpaul, S. Panama, S. Rubislaw, S Albany, S. Anatum, S. Corvallis and S. Madelia. Thus, the Acaraú river was more severely contaminated than the Jaguaribe river, where strains resistant to antimicrobial were found in a rate of 25% to plasmid resistance and 75% to chromosomal resistance. These results show up two problems of public health: the presence of resistant strains of Salmonella and the possibility of human contamination though crustacean consumption. In addition to this,...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Julieta Rodini Engracia de Moraes / Coorientador: Regine H. S. dos Fernandes Vieira / Banca: Fabiana Pilarski / Banca: Angela Cleusa de Fátima Banzatto de Carvalho / Banca: Gilson Pereira de Oliveira / Banca: Fabiana Rizzi Bozzo / Doutor

O complexo estuarino-lagunar de Cananéia-Iguape, localizado na porção sul do litoral do Estado de São Paulo, integra uma importante reserva ambiental e um ecossistema costeiro extremamente produtivo. A região abriga o canal do Valo Grande, construído há mais de 160 anos, o qual favorece a introdução água doce do rio Ribeira de Iguape diretamente no sistema estuarino contribuindo à importantes alterações biogeoquímicas como o aporte de nutrientes, metais e outros elementos pouco solúveis, que acabam tendo como destino os sedimentos. No presente trabalho foi realizada a coleta de amostras da coluna de água e de sedimentos de superfície ao longo do complexo estuarino-lagunar de Cananéia-Iguape e ambientes contíguos. Também houve a realização de perfis de sedimento na região sul do estuário, considerada mais preservada. O objetivo principal foi avaliar os processos que regem a distribuição dos Elementos Terras Raras (ETR) nos sedimentos do sistema, conhecendo as propriedades hidroquímicas do sistema, associando e comparando os ETR a outros elementos presentes em baixas concentrações, de modo natural ou resultantes de alterações de origem antrópica, utilizando padrões de fracionamento, anomalias e assinatura geoquímica de minerais que atuam na distribuição dos ETR verificando seu potencial para evidenciar a origem e interpretar níveis naturais e efeitos antrópicos aos quais o Complexo está submetido. Os resultados mostraram que as características hidroquímicas na região norte do Complexo encontram-se fortemente influenciadas pelo aporte de águas fluviais via Valo Grande e pelos processos biogeoquímicos associados a ele, enquanto a região sul apresentou-se mais conservada, mostrando equilíbrio biogeoquímico natural de sistemas estuarinos, oferecendo maior suporte à produção primária. Nos sedimentos de superfície, as concentrações elementares de Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, Hf, P, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Th, U, Zn, Zr e ETR* apresentaram distribuição bastante relacionada às características deposicionais/texturais, de forma que a maioria destes elementos tiveram maiores concentrações em regiões de baixa energia hidrodinâmica, no interior do rio Ribeira de Iguape e no mar Pequeno. Considerando como referência os valores guias de qualidade dos sedimentos canadenses (TEL e PEL), os elementos As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg e Zn apresentaram concentração abaixo dos valores que indicam frequente ocorrência de efeitos adversos nos organismos aquáticos (PEL), mas foi observado que em alguns locais, As, Cr, Pb e Zn superaram os valores de concentração que indicam uma baixa probabilidade de ocorrência de efeitos adversos à biota (TEL). Fatores de enriquecimento calculados com relação à crosta continental superior (FEUCC) e ao background geoquímico regional (FEBG) apontaram regiões onde ocorrem concentrações de Pb, P e Sb acima dos níveis considerados naturais, entretanto evidenciaram que os altos valores de As e Cr estariam relacionados a um enriquecimento natural dos sedimentos na região. No caso dos ETR, o FEUCC e FEBG indicaram enriquecimento na região do mar adjacente ao estuário e em estações no rio Ribeira e no Valo Grande. A aplicação de modelagem através da regressão múltipla linear mostrou que os valores, que seriam normalmente considerados anômalos, são naturais e refletem a presença de minerais pesados nestes locais. Outros elementos que parecem naturalmente enriquecidos onde há ocorrência minerais pesados são: As, Ca, Cr, Th, U, além dos elementos ditos sinalizadores, como Hf e Zr. Anomalias de Ce mostraram a possível relação com processos de oxidação de Ce+3 a Ce+4 mediada biológicamente nas zonas mais produtivas do estuário. Dos quatro perfis de sedimento obtidos na região sul do estuário, três mostraram seções com valores de FEUCC e FEBG para Pb que sugerem contribuição antrópica. Tais padrões decrescem em direção ao sul do sistema, porém praticamente não mostram variação temporal. Nenhuma concentração de Pb superou o valor de TEL nos testemunhos estudados. Zn e Hg mostraram enriquecimentos pontuais em diferentes seções do testemunho T3. Com relação aos ETR, houve novamente a observação de enriquecimento causado por minerais pesados, e os teores modelados parecem refletir níveis naturais para estes elementos nos quatro testemunhos. Tais informações podem ser utilizadas na ampliação do uso de ferramentas biogeoquímicas de avaliação e prevenção de riscos aos quais o sistema estudado está sujeito, e na tomada de decisão pelo poder público no sentido da conservação ambiental da região. / The estuary-lagoon complex of Cananéia-Iguape, in the southern portion of the coast of São Paulo state, is part of an important environmental reserve and an extremely productive coastal ecosystem. The region encloses the Valo Grande channel, built more than 160 years ago, which favors the introduction of fresh water from Ribeira de Iguape river directly into the estuarine system contributing to important biogeochemical changes in the region. Through this channel, many nutrients arrive at the estuary, as well as, metals and other slightly soluble elements, that end up as sediments. In this research, samples of the water column and surface sediments were collected in the estuary-lagoon complex of Cananéia-Iguape and contiguous environments, as well as, sediment profiles in the south of the estuary, considered to be the most conserved region. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the processes that govern the distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in the sediments of the system, associating and comparing them to other elements, both essential and toxic, using fractionation patterns, anomalies and the geochemical signature of minerals that act in the distribution of REE to evaluate the origin and interpret natural levels and the amplitude of possible anthropic effects to which the Complex is submitted. The results show that the hydrochemical characteristics in the northern region of the complex are strongly influenced by the provision of fresh water through Valo Grande channel and its resulting biogeochemical processes, while the southern region is more conserved, showing the natural biogeochemical balance of estuarine systems, offering greater support to primary production. The elemental concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, Hf, P, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Th, U, Zn, Zr and REE* in the surface sediments, show distribution related to depositional/textural characteristics, in such a way most of these elements presented their highest concentrations in regions of recognized low hydrodynamic energy, in the Ribeira de Iguape river and Mar Pequeno region. A comparison of the values obtained for As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg and Zn with the Canadian sediment quality guidelines (TEL and PEL) shows that none of the evaluated elements reached concentrations indicating a frequent occurrence of negative effects on aquatic organisms (PEL), however, As, Cr, Pb and Zn have sometimes exceeded concentration values indicating a low probability of occurrence of adverse effects on biota (TEL). Enrichment factors calculated in relation to the upper continental crust (FEUCC) and the regional geochemical background (FEBG) pointed out regions where Pb, P and Sb accumulated above the levels considered natural, however have shown that the high values of As and Cr are related to a natural enrichment of the sediments in the region. For the REE, FEUCC and FEBG indicated enrichment in the sea region adjacent to the estuary and at stations in Ribeira de Iguape river and Valo Grande. Data modeling through linear multiple regression showed that the values, which would normally be considered anomalous, are natural and reflect the presence of heavy minerals at these sites. Other elements that appear to be naturally enriched where there is the indication of occurrence of such minerals are As, Ca, Cr, Th, U, in addition to the signaling elements Hf and Zr. Ce anomalies showed a possible relationship with biologically mediated Ce+3 to Ce+4 oxidation processes in the most productive areas of the estuary. Out of the four sediment profiles obtained in the southern region of the estuary, three showed sections with FEUCC and FEBG values for Pb suggesting anthropogenic contribution. Such values decrease towards the south of the system, however showed a small time variation. None of the obtained Pb values overcame the values of TEL for such sediment profiles. Zn and Hg showed one-off enrichments in different sections of T3 sediment core. Regarding REE, there was again the observation of enrichment caused by heavy minerals in one of the sediment cores, and the modeled contents seem to reflect natural levels for these elements in the four cores. Such information can be used in the expansion of the biogeochemical tools for assessment and prevention of the risks to which the studied system is subject and in the decision making by the public sector towards the environmental preservation of the region.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-04-12T18:01:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Guilherme de Assis Rodrigues.pdf: 3641383 bytes, checksum: 0b63e2c57403684dda6281aef509440e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-12T18:01:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Guilherme de Assis Rodrigues.pdf: 3641383 bytes, checksum: 0b63e2c57403684dda6281aef509440e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-25 / A main sure of environmental restore of an ecosystem is the restoration of its growth vegetation,which may occur through the production of seedlings of native species and subsequent planting, although in the case of mangroves, the subjectis are low discussed. Thus, there is a lack for studies that discuss the theme about production practices of the mangrove ecosystem species seedlings. This study had the objective of: describe the phonological pattern of three typical species of mangrove ecosystem in order to provide information about the collection times and know the degree of correlation with environmental variables with the phonological periodsassess thein fluence of saline fertilization with NaCl and KCl on the production of seedlings of different mangrove species. This study showed that the environmental variables related of temperature were the most influential factors on phenology of Laguncularia racemosa, while the fluctuation of the water level acted strongly on the phenology of R. mangle. For Avicennia schaueriana the Salinity was the highest correlation with phenological events. The results showed that for L. racemosa species fertilization with NaCl at a concentration of 2 grams per liter of water gave larger increments to the seedlings. For R. mangle is recommended that 16 g of NaCl per liter of water, 10 ml of this solution applied weekly. / Uma das principais medidas de recupera??o ambiental de um ecossistema ? o restabelecimento de sua vegeta??o, que pode ocorrer por meio da produ??o de mudas de esp?cies nativas e posterior plantio, embora em se tratando dos Manguezais, o tema ? pouco debatido. Dessa forma, h? a necessidade de estudos que abordem o tema e discutam as pr?ticas de produ??o de mudas de esp?cies do ecossistema Manguezal. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivos: descrever o padr?o fenol?gico de tr?s esp?cies t?picas do ecossistema Manguezal, no intuito de fornecer informa??es acerca das ?pocas de coleta e conhecer o grau de correla??o com as vari?veis ambientais com os per?odos fenol?gicos; avaliar a influ?ncia da aduba??o salina com NaCl e KCl sobre a produ??o de mudas de diferentes esp?cies de mangue. Este estudo comprovou que a as vari?veis ambientais ligadas ? temperatura foram os fatores de maior influ?ncia sobre os eventos fenol?gicos de Laguncularia racemosa, enquanto que a flutua??o do n?vel da mar? atuou fortemente sobre a fenologia de Rhizophora mangle. Para Avicennia schaueriana a salinidade foi a de maior correla??o com os eventos fenol?gicos. A an?lise dos resultados mostrou que para a esp?cie L. racemosa a aduba??o com NaCl a uma concentra??o de 2 gramas por litro de ?gua proporcionou maiores incrementos ?s mudas. J? para R. mangle ? recomendada a de 16 g de NaCl por litro de ?gua, aplicados 10 ml desta solu??o semanalmente.

Marine ecosystems are highly dynamic and contain a diverse faunal assemblage that are subject to various natural and anthropogenic variability. Globally, seagrass ecosystems are located adjacent to coastal areas that are heavily impacted by human development and urbanization potentially altering the community structure within these ecosystem. Complex food webs connect many components of these systems, often in unexpected ways, and are ultimately based on one of two pathways: benthic (i.e., seagrass, epiphytes, microalgae, detritus) and planktonic (i.e., phytoplankton). Understanding the pathway which the food web is based gives further insight regarding the biological balance of the ecosystem; thus it is important to expand beyond bounds of single-species approaches for research and management. Observing what a predator consumes and its preference for any particular prey can be informative in regards to how a predator interacts and utilizes an ecosystem. Predatory fish are exposed to a wide range of potential prey with varying levels of mobility in their natural environment and may employ a wide range of feeding tactics in order to capture prey. Overall, prey availability and abundances are influenced by many factors (e.g., seasons, tides, habitat loss and gain) and many piscivorous fishes will undergo ontogenetic shift in diet in order to optimize their energetic return limiting the interpretation of electivity studies. Although much information can be obtained through stomach analysis of fish, some prey are more rapidly digested due to the lack of hard, external structures and may be overlooked in the analysis. Furthermore, prey preference cannot be based solely on the observed abundance in the diet of a predator because it takes time for a predator to find, consume, and digest prey (i.e., "handling time"). Therefore, multiple approaches, both observational and experimental, are necessary to fully understand trophodynamics of fishes and their ecosystems. To better understand the trophodynamics of the Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, my thesis incorporates both an observational and experimental study. My observational study compares three stomach analyses datasets to address changes in the diet composition over a thirty-two year timespan during which natural and anthropogenic changes potentially altered the community structure of Tampa Bay. This is paired with an experimental study to address differently handling times of two morphologically- and behaviorally- different prey that were observed in the diet of juvenile Spotted Seatrout.

Many recent studies have sought to monitor health characteristics of seagrasses, including changes in aerial extent, biomass and fish community structure. While these studies have provided important information on the ecology of seagrass communities on southeast Australia, little attempt has been made to subject these sampling procedures to rigorous experimental testing and review. This study employed commonly-used standard methods for sampling seagrass community characteristics in two sites in New South Wales. Where possible, sampling protocols were tested for accuracy and efficiency at a range of temporal and spatial scales. The ARCView Geographic Information System was used to construct vegetation polygons of seagrass distribution on the Tweed River, and in the Ukerebagh Channel annually over a 5-year period. For one year (2000), distributions from identical photographs were mapped twice to identify procedural errors. In general, errors relating to incorrect boundary identification were low compared to inter-annual variability. Inter-annual variability in seagrass beds was higher than for adjacent mangrove and saltmarsh. Estimates of biomass were derived from standard replicate 0.25m x 0.25m quadrats. The experiment contrasted two sites of similar geomorphic setting. Ukerebagh Channel on the Tweed River, and Woolooware Bay with Botany Bay are both shallow, sandy marine deltaic settings supporting stands of Zostera capricorni. Significant differences were found in the degree of replication required to identify significant changes in seagrass biomass at the two sites. Ukerebagh Channel supported relatively dense stands of Z. capricorni with low intra-site variability. Here 8 replicates were sufficient to detect 10 percent change. Towra Point presented a contrast, in which 15 replicates were required to detect a similar level of change. Woolooware Bay at Towra Point has suffered from increased sedimentation relating to alterations in current velocities at Towra Point, and the result highlights the greater degree of replication required to determine significance changes in disturbed systems. The fish populations in the seagrass at Towra Point were sampled using buoyant pop nets. Fish communities differed significantly from those sampled in adjacent mangrove and saltmarsh. Differences in fish assemblages between spring high tides, neap high tides and low tides are attributed to movements of fish between seagrass and adjacent mangrove and saltmarsh. This mosaic of habitats is utilized by a number of species over a tidal cycle, with seagrass providing an important low-tide refuge for many species utilizing mangrove and saltmarsh at high tide. Limitations in the efficiency of buoyant pop nets were exposed in a novel experiment which demonstrated differences in escape rates between species. Flat-tailed mullet (Liza argenta) are likely to be under-represented in experiments using this technique. Recommendations are made regarding optimal sampling protocols for monitoring seagrass in the region. All techniques tested are suitable, though some require modification. Some texts have under-estimated the degree of replication required to appropriately monitor changes in seagrass biomass in disturbed systems, where density is lower and intra-site variability higher. The buoyant pop-nets may require modification in open-water seagrass situations where escape by Liza argenta and Acanthopagrus australis were at unacceptable levels.

Saltmarsh is an important coastal habitat located in the littoral zone of estuaries. Australian saltmarsh area is decreasing due to agricultural and urban development and invasion by mangrove. The aim of the study was to assess the contribution made by saltmarsh as a habitat and a source of food items for fish. Three saltmarsh sites were studied, with Towra Point chosen as a site for detailed ecological study. When corrected for water volume, fish densities were found to be higher within the saltmarsh compared to the adjacent mangrove. Although the fish assemblages in saltmarshes differed significantly from mangroves the overall ratio between commercially and ecologically valuable species in these habitats are similar, a result suggesting the importance of temperate saltmarsh as habitat for economically important fish. Significant export of crab larva from saltmarsh (average crab larval abundance 2124.63 m-3 outgoing water) is a positive contribution to the estuarine food chain supplementing the nutritional requirements of estuarine fish. While the diet of the crabs producing this larvae seems dependant on the saltmarsh environment (given the contrasting isotopic signatures of Sesarma erythrodactyla in saltmarsh and mangrove, and the similarity of isotopic signatures in the saltmarsh for Sesarma erythrodactyla and Helograpsus haswellianus), the crabs do not seem to be dependent on any of the common species of saltmarsh plant, but rather depend on particulate organic matter (POM) derived from local and other sources. Crab larva are a prey item for many estuarine fish, including commercially important species, as evidenced by gut content analysis of fish visiting the saltmarsh flats during spring tides. The results strongly suggest that emphasis be given to ecosystembased management for an estuary rather than component (e.g., vegetation) based managed as defined by the Fisheries Management Act (1994) and the State Environmental Planning Policy 14.

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