Ecological impact of salt farming in mangroves on the habitat and food sources of austruca occidentalis and littoraria subvittata
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elservier
Abstract
The impact of salt farming on the habitats and food sources of Austruca occidentalis and Littoraria subvittata was
studied in mangroves along the coast of Tanzania using stable isotopes ( 13 C and 15 N) and sediment particle size
analysis. The 13 C and 15 N stable isotope composition in mangrove leaves, sediments and invertebrate tissues,
were used to evaluate whether there are differences in feeding ecology of the crab Austruca occidentalis and the
snail Littoraria subvittata collected from natural mangroves and mangroves around the salt ponds. Organic C,
total N content and particle size distribution in sediments were used to assess if there are differences in habitat
characteristics of mangroves around the salt ponds. Mangrove leaves and sediments were found to be 13 C en-
riched around salt ponds compared to those from natural mangroves. Likewise the macroinvertebrates collected
from mangroves around salt ponds were found be enriched in 13 C relative to undisturbed mangroves. In addition,
mangrove sediments around salt ponds were poorer in organic carbon and nitrogen and had more sand content
compared to sediments from natural mangroves. These results indicate that salt pond activities have contributed
to the modification of the habitats of macroinvertebrates by causing δ 13 C stable isotopes enrichment and al-
teration of sediment characteristics in the ecosystem.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Isotope ratios, Mangrove deforestation, Salt production, Western Indian Ocean