Productivity in shallow subtidal zone mediated by seasonal changes in ecosystem function of tidal flats

我们调查了泥滩生态系统的功能，使用稳定同位素分析在有明湾，以测试是否泥滩的生态系统功能的季节性变化，从水净化燃料的邻近潮下带生产的底栖微藻的来源。同位素分析结果表明，当滩涂食草动物活动减弱时，滩涂底栖微藻对潮下带生物生产力的能量贡献从夏季的44%增加到冬季的60%。不过，这种加油的功能还是比较高的。底栖鱼类的同位素特征也显示出底栖藻类的特征，约70%的底栖藻类的贡献。因此，有明湾的泥滩基本上是有机物质的来源，并部分支持该地区的高营养生物的高产量。

We investigated mudflat ecosystem function using stable isotope analyses in Ariake Bay to test whether ecosystem function of mudflat seasonally changes from water purification to the fueling of neighboring subtidal production by sourcing of benthic microalgae. Isotope analyses showed that the energy contribution of mudflat benthic microalgae to subtidal benthic production increased from 44% in summer to 60% even in offshore area in winter, when the activity of mudflat grazer decreased. However, such fueling function was relatively high. Isotope signatures of demersal fish also showed benthic algae-oriented signatures, about 70% contribution of benthic algae. Hence, mudflat in Ariake Bay fundamentally functions as source of organic materials and partly supports higher production of higher trophic organism of this area.