Drivers of spatiotemporal community variations in estuarine ecosystems: A case study of the waters adjacent to the Yangtze Estuary
Chen, Z.; Liang, C.; Xian, W.; Pauly, D. (2025). Drivers of spatiotemporal community variations in estuarine ecosystems: A case study of the waters adjacent to the Yangtze Estuary. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 217: 118078. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118078
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
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Invertebrate; Environmental filtering; Variance partitioning; Sochastic processes; Deterministic processes |
| Authors | | Top |
- Chen, Z.
- Liang, C.
- Xian, W.
- Pauly, D., more
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| Abstract |
Understanding the processes and mechanisms driving species distribution and spatiotemporal variations in communities is a crucial theme in community ecology and conservation biology. Due to its complex geographical features and natural environmental gradients, the unique conditions of the waters adjacent to the Yangtze Estuary facilitate further research into estuarine community aggregation and diversity patterns. We used Variation Partitioning Analysis (VPA) to link community composition with environmental and spatiotemporal factors, quantifying the contributions of stochastic and deterministic processes to community spatiotemporal variations. Employing Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), multi-variable regression, Mantel tests, and Spearman's rank correlation, we identified the main drivers for different species and communities. The results indicate that the community structure of fish and invertebrates in the waters adjacent to the Yangtze Estuary shows significant spatiotemporal variations. Temporal community changes are mainly driven by environmental factors, with significant biomass declines over years and seasonal β-diversity shifts. Despite the long time series of this study (2004–2022), the degree of seasonal variability in the community remains greater than interannual variability. Spatial variations in the community result from the combined effects of stochastic (random dispersal) and deterministic processes (environmental filtering), with non-demersal communities showing greater spatial changes. Temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and pH are environmental factors with significant driving effects. This study quantitatively analyzed the significant impacts of environmental factors on fish and invertebrate communities by integrating neutral processes, specifically random dispersal, with environmental filtering. It thereby provides crucial information for systematic biodiversity conservation and water environment management planning. |
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