Upscaling the contribution of crab burrows to mangrove ecosystem functioning in French Guiana (South America)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Burrow characteristics and bioturbation activities of benthic organisms play a key role in mangrove ecosystem biogeochemical and sedimentary functioning. In this study, we aimed to understand how small-scale topographic variations in a mud bank might influence burrow morphology and distribution in a French Guiana pioneer mangrove system (Sinnamary estuary), and to upscale spatial patterns using remote sensing. We used burrow resin casting and sediment conductivity measurements to depict subsurface 3D burrow structures. We found that the spatial heterogeneity of burrow sizes (small, medium, large) and morphologies (simple I- and J-shape, complex geometries) depended on the geomorphic units within mudflats (platform, channel, depression). The aperture areas of burrow casts were used to predict the volume and complexity of each burrow type, enabling us to use drone-derived burrow opening distribution maps to calculate burrow volumes and complexity at the mudflat scale. There are clear associations between tidal channels and depressions and voluminous, multi-aperture, complex and multi-species burrows. In contrast, simple I- and J-shaped burrows inhabited by single species were mainly found on platforms. These relationships lead to a comparatively large volume of tidal-irrigated and deeply aerated sediments connected to channels and depressions compared to platform areas. We suggest that, depending on their morphology and connectivity with the topography, burrows may exhibit differences in biogeochemical functioning depending on the geomorphic unit. We warn against generalizing the functioning of mangrove ecosystems across geomorphic units where impacts may differ. Further studies are needed to understand how different burrow morphologies and life cycles may alter hydrological, sedimentary and biogeochemical functioning.
Source: Regional Environmental Change
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ifremer, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Aix-Marseille Université, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Centre de Recherche et d’Enseignement de Géosciences de l’Environnement, James Cook University, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, Stony Brook University, Laboratoire Écologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
Awards: G2616341189, Coupling of carbonate cycling and redox reactions in the bioturbated zone of marine sediments, Catalyzing action towards sustainability of deltaic systems with an integrated modeling framework for risk assessment, G5444364547, BIOdiversity and ecosystem functioning of MANgroves in French Guiana: prospects for ecOsystem management in the Amazonian system, G6702880738, G7240651115, Early diagenetic aluminosilicate formation and burial of biogenic silica in tropical deltas, Interdisciplinary Graduate School for the Blue planet, The effects of animal-sediment interactions on biogeochemical processes at the sediment-water interface
OpenAlex ID: W4404079492