Abstract
Bivalves play a key role in coastal ecosystems by supporting food web, modifying
habitats, and their economic value for fisheries. Many bivalve species are under
pressure, showing large variations in population sizes and distributions, with
climate change and human activities considered as important drivers. The Dutch
North Sea hosts high densities of bivalve species, dominated by the cut trough
shell Spisula subtruncata, with strong interannual variations and a patchy
distribution. To explore the causes of this variation, data of an extensive longterm spatial benthic monitoring program (1995-2021) was analysed using a
Bayesian spatio-temporal hurdle model. We considered indicators related to
human activities, biological processes, climate change and habitat preference as
explanatory variables for the observed long-term temporal and spatial variations. Results revealed that medium sediment grain size was key determinant of S. subtruncata occurrence and density. Increasing sea water temperatures during winter and the post-settlement phase positively affected annual population densities, while strong north-westerly winds led to lower densities. These climate change related factors had an overall positive effect on this species in the region. Human activities like shellfish dredging and sand nourishment had no measurable impact. However, shrimp and flatfish beam trawling overlapped with S. subtruncata occurrence and were negatively related to densities, suggesting higher beam trawling intensity in these areas may negatively impacts densities. Overall, the effects were stronger at medium to finer sediments where the highest densities occurred, indicating a strong habitat-dependent effect. Despite identifying multiple drivers, unexplained annual variation suggests other not included factors like predation pressure, also play a role. More detailed studies on the combined effects of climate change-driven
environmental stressors and human activities are needed to fully understand
the population dynamics. This knowledge is essential for developing more
adequate fisheries and coastal management strategies to sustain biodiversity
habitats, and their economic value for fisheries. Many bivalve species are under
pressure, showing large variations in population sizes and distributions, with
climate change and human activities considered as important drivers. The Dutch
North Sea hosts high densities of bivalve species, dominated by the cut trough
shell Spisula subtruncata, with strong interannual variations and a patchy
distribution. To explore the causes of this variation, data of an extensive longterm spatial benthic monitoring program (1995-2021) was analysed using a
Bayesian spatio-temporal hurdle model. We considered indicators related to
human activities, biological processes, climate change and habitat preference as
explanatory variables for the observed long-term temporal and spatial variations. Results revealed that medium sediment grain size was key determinant of S. subtruncata occurrence and density. Increasing sea water temperatures during winter and the post-settlement phase positively affected annual population densities, while strong north-westerly winds led to lower densities. These climate change related factors had an overall positive effect on this species in the region. Human activities like shellfish dredging and sand nourishment had no measurable impact. However, shrimp and flatfish beam trawling overlapped with S. subtruncata occurrence and were negatively related to densities, suggesting higher beam trawling intensity in these areas may negatively impacts densities. Overall, the effects were stronger at medium to finer sediments where the highest densities occurred, indicating a strong habitat-dependent effect. Despite identifying multiple drivers, unexplained annual variation suggests other not included factors like predation pressure, also play a role. More detailed studies on the combined effects of climate change-driven
environmental stressors and human activities are needed to fully understand
the population dynamics. This knowledge is essential for developing more
adequate fisheries and coastal management strategies to sustain biodiversity
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 1476223 |
Journal | Frontiers in Marine Science |
Volume | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 20 Nov 2024 |