The spatial-temporal distribution of Namalycastis abiuma in the Futian mangrove wetland of Shenzhen Bay as well as its relationship to climate response
Abstract:The seasonal and annual population dynamics of Namalycastis abiuma, as well as its spatial distribution, were studied in the Futian mangrove wetland of Shenzhen Bay from January 2004 to December 2007. The monitoring of density and biomass took place at ten sampling stations of three transects. The relationship between N. abiuma quantity and environmental factors was analyzed. The highest annual averages of both density and biomass of N. abiuma in the wetland were recorded in 2005, the second in 2006 and the third in 2007. The lowest annual average occurred in 2004. The highest seasonal average of the distribution density of N. abiuma was in summer and the lowest in autumn, while the highest biomass was in spring and the lowest in autumn. The spatial distribution of N. abiuma was uneven. High density of N. abiuma was found in the mangrove area and low density was found in the non-mangrove area. There was no obvious relationship between the density and biomass of N. abiuma and environmental factors,such as total organic matter, grain size, sulfide abundance, and other factors in the sediment.The lowest annual average of rainfall was in 2004 and decreased annually from 2005 to 2007, which coincided with the annual changes of both density and biomass of N. abiuma. However, there was no direct relationship between the density and biomass of N. abiuma and other environmental factors, such as rainfall, air temperature, illumination time, and relative humidity. In conclusion, N. abiuma preferred the mangrove wetland habitat compared to the non-mangrove area and its response to rainfall and other climate factors mentioned above was not significant.