Nagahama Yumi, Nomura Munehiro, Nishimura Osamu
Ibaraki Kasumigaura Environmental Science Center, Tsuchiura 300-0023, Japan.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Apr 10;15(8):1098. doi: 10.3390/ani15081098.
Seagrass is a key primary producer in coastal ecosystems; however, most studies on seagrass-benthos interactions have focused on subtidal zones. Some species such as grow in intertidal flats; however, their ecological functions remain unclear. Understanding whether intertidal seagrass beds contribute to benthic abundance and diversity can provide insights that facilitate tidal flat conservation. The present study clarifies the role of intertidal as a food source for benthos. Field surveys were conducted in an intertidal flat in Matsushima Bay, Japan. Five benthic species (, , , Nereididae, and Paguroidea) were identified. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δC, δN) and fatty acid compositions of sediment organic matter, seawater, and target benthos were analyzed to determine food sources. The results showed that actively consumed -derived organic matter present in both seagrass and sandy sediments. also influenced bacterial community structure, providing a favorable habitat for Nereididae. Filter feeders ( and ) exhibited minimal reliance on -derived organic matter. The findings suggest that, similar to subtidal seagrass ecosystems, intertidal seagrass meadows support benthic communities by supplying organic matter and enhancing bacterial production.
海草是沿海生态系统中的关键初级生产者；然而，大多数关于海草与底栖生物相互作用的研究都集中在潮下带。一些物种，如 在潮间带生长；然而，它们的生态功能仍不清楚。了解潮间带海草床是否有助于底栖生物的丰富度和多样性，可以提供有助于潮滩保护的见解。本研究阐明了潮间带 作为底栖生物食物来源的作用。在日本松岛湾的一个潮间带进行了实地调查。鉴定出了五种底栖物种（ 、 、 、沙蚕科和寄居蟹总科）。分析了沉积物有机质、海水和目标底栖生物的碳和氮稳定同位素比率（δC、δN）以及脂肪酸组成，以确定食物来源。结果表明， 积极消耗海草和沙质沉积物中存在的 衍生有机物质。 还影响细菌群落结构，为沙蚕科提供了有利的栖息地。滤食性动物（ 和 ）对 衍生有机物质的依赖最小。研究结果表明，与潮下带海草生态系统类似，潮间带海草草甸通过提供有机物质和提高细菌产量来支持底栖生物群落。
