The Influence of Manila Clam ( Ruditapes philippinarum ) on Macrobenthos Communities in a Korean Tidal Ecosystem

Sang Lyeol Kim, Hyung Gon Lee, Su Min Kang and Ok Hwan Yu
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Sang Lyeol Kim: Marine Ecosystem and Biological Research Centre, KIOST, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea
Hyung Gon Lee: Marine Ecosystem and Biological Research Centre, KIOST, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea
Su Min Kang: Marine Ecosystem and Biological Research Centre, KIOST, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea
Ok Hwan Yu: Marine Ecosystem and Biological Research Centre, KIOST, 385, Haeyang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49111, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: We investigated the biological impact of extensive Manila clam ( Ruditapes philippinarum ) aquaculture on macrobenthic communities in a tidal ecosystem in Korea. We collected macrobenthos (>1 mm in length) samples seasonally in the intertidal zone in Geunsoman, Taean, Korea from April 2011 to December 2014. We identified 146 macrobenthos species, including 60 polychaetes, 53 crustaceans, and 16 mollusks. A biota–environment matching (BIO–ENV) analysis indicated that the benthic community was affected by mean sediment grain size (Mz), total organic carbon (TOC), and R. philippinarum biomass. We found no correlation between R. philippinarum and the main dominant species ( Heteromastus filiformis , Ceratonereis erythraeensis, and Ampharete arctica ), which have a different feeding strategy; thus, this may result in a lack of competition for food resources. In addition, we found that flourishing R. philippinarum positively affects the macrobenthos density but negatively affects the biodiversity index. Moreover, competition between species does not occur clearly, and environmental variables (sediment, organic carbon) are important.

Keywords: Manila clam; Ruditapes philippinarum; macrobenthos; feeding type; diversity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4205-:d:360879

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