Isotopic identification of trophic structure in a Hupo marine ranching ecosystem off the southwestern coast of East Sea : 동해 후포 바다목장 해역에서 안정동위원소 조성에 의해서 밝혀진 저서 먹이망의 중요성

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In order to enhance fisheries resources by creating hard bottom ecosystem on the sandy habitat in coastal zone, artificial reefs are deployed and juvenile fish are released in marine ranching area. The present study firstly examined trophic structure in the Hupo marine ranching ecosystem of the southwestern coast of the East Sea. Samplings for colonized biota and potential sources of organic matter were performed at artificial reef (AR), natural rocky reef (NR), and sandy-mud bottom (NS, control site) habitats in July and November 2010. Although little different isotope values of organic sources between sites and seasons was appeared, significantly less negative δ13C of benthic algae than that of phytoplankton were shown. No spatial and seasonal difference of isotopic signature of consumers (divided by cluster analysis) was found between NR and AR ecosystem in July and November. Besides more negative δ13C values of consumers at AR habitats compared to those at NS habitat were presented. Thus, deployment of artificial reefs made the trophic structure of sandy bottom ecosystem alike that of rocky bottom ecosystem though diversify trophic base. Same trophic niche between released and wild starry flounders suggested that successful settlement of released individuals. Further studies directed to long-term monitoring on seasonal and interannual variations of trophic structure by the effects of the creations of new macroalgal habitats on fisheries yield.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction 1
• II. Materials and method5
• 2.1 Study sites5
• 2.2 Sampling and pretreatment7
• 2.3 Stable isotope analysis9
• 2.4 Determination of trophic structure and trophic reliance of consumers9
• 2.5 Statistical analysis10
• III. Results12
• 3.1 Isotopic signature of organic matter sources12
• 3.2 Isotopic signature of consumers15
• 3.3 Trophic reliance (α) and trophic position (TP) of consumers 26
• 3.4 Trophic niche of starry flounder30
• Ⅳ. Discussion31
• 4.1 Isotopic signatures of organic matter sources31
• 4.2 Sources of consumer nutrition32
• 4.3 Trophic levels35
• 4.4 Trophic niche of starry flounder and implications for fisheries management36
• Ⅴ. Conclusion40