The role of filter-feeders in coastal ecosystem functioning

滤食动物在沿海生态系统功能中的作用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-04294
• 负责人: Filgueira, Ramón
• 金额: $ 4.23万
• 依托单位: Dalhousie University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=765030
• 关键词: role; filter; feeders; coastal; ecosystem

Human interactions with the coastal zones of our oceans can compromise marine ecosystem health. For example, the cultivation of mussels and oysters can alter the food supplies available for other species. In addition, the man-made structures that are deployed in the ocean for this purpose constitute new habitat that can be colonized by other species such as sea squirts (tunicates). Some sea squirts are invaders that can rapidly proliferate and out-compete mussels and oysters, dominating the ecosystem, and negatively impacting the economic viability of the aquaculture sector. Assessing the overall impact of this human activity on the ecosystem relies on our understanding of the feeding behaviour of mussels, oysters and sea squirts. These so-called filter-feeders feed by straining small food particles from water, typically by passing the water over a specialized filtering structure. Despite the importance of filter-feeders in coastal ecosystems, some critical aspects of their feeding behaviour are still not clear. This proposed research program will improve our understanding of the feeding behaviour of mussels, oysters and two species of invasive sea squirts. This research will determine (1) the size and type of particles that these species can effectively retain in their filtering structures, (2) their feeding rates and behaviour under different environmental conditions, and ultimately (3) their potential impact on the ecosystem. We will achieve these goals by performing experiments in the field and under controlled conditions in the laboratory, for example, to explore the effect of a higher future ocean temperature on filter-feeder feeding rates. We will also integrate this novel information into mathematical models that could be used to predict the behaviour of these species under current and future ecosystem scenarios such as climate change or human modifications to the coastal zone. The knowledge to be gained from this research will improve our ability to make informed management decisions for Canadian coastal zones. For example, we will be able to (1) explore the impact of mussel and oyster aquaculture on the environment and consequently provide recommendations to guarantee the sustainability of this important economic activity; (2) simulate predicted climate change in the laboratory to explore the anticipated future invasive pattern of sea squirts. In summary, this program will generate fundamental scientific knowledge that can be directly applied to improving coastal zone management in Canada, and will help to promote sustainable aquaculture practices worldwide.

人类与海洋海岸带的互动会损害海洋生态系统的健康。例如，贻贝和牡蛎的养殖可以改变其他物种的食物供应。此外，为此目的在海洋中部署的人造结构构成了其他物种（如海鞘）可以定居的新栖息地。一些海鞘是入侵者，它们可以迅速繁殖并与贻贝和牡蛎竞争，主宰生态系统，并对水产养殖部门的经济可行性产生负面影响。评估人类活动对生态系统的总体影响取决于我们对贻贝、牡蛎和海鞘进食行为的理解。这些所谓的滤食动物通过过滤水中的小食物颗粒来进食，通常是通过一个专门的过滤结构来让水流过。尽管滤食性动物在沿海生态系统中很重要，但它们进食行为的一些关键方面仍不清楚。这项拟议的研究计划将提高我们对贻贝、牡蛎和两种入侵海鞘的摄食行为的理解。这项研究将确定(1)这些物种在其过滤结构中可以有效保留的颗粒的大小和类型，(2)它们在不同环境条件下的摄食率和行为，以及最终(3)它们对生态系统的潜在影响。为了实现这些目标，我们将在野外和实验室的受控条件下进行实验，例如，探索未来更高的海洋温度对滤料机摄食率的影响。我们还将把这些新信息整合到数学模型中，用于预测这些物种在当前和未来生态系统情景下的行为，如气候变化或人类对沿海地区的改造。从这项研究中获得的知识将提高我们为加拿大沿海地区做出明智管理决策的能力。例如，我们将能够(1)探索贻贝和牡蛎养殖对环境的影响，从而提供建议，以保证这一重要经济活动的可持续性；(2)在实验室模拟预测气候变化，探讨海鞘未来入侵模式。总之，该计划将产生可直接用于改善加拿大沿海地区管理的基础科学知识，并将有助于促进全球可持续水产养殖做法。