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Low-level sedimentation modifies behaviour in juvenile Haliotis iris and may affect their vulnerability to predation

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Abstract

Sedimentation is an important stressor of coastal ecosystems; yet, there is little research into specific mechanisms by which populations are affected by additional sediment loads resulting from anthropogenic-driven processes. This study explored the potential impact of the proposed disposal of over 7 million m3 of dredge spoil on a nearby fishery for the blackfoot abalone Haliotis iris. The range of sediment deposition predicted by models to occur on reefs inhabited by H. iris as a result of the dispersal of sediment from the disposal site was used to design controlled experiments between July and September 2011 to test the likely effects of sedimentation on: (a) behaviour and mortality of juvenile H. iris and (b) photosynthetic vitality of crustose coralline algae (CCA) that form nursery habitats for H. iris obtained from Brinns Point (45, 40.3′S, 170, 39.4′E). We observed no direct effects on the health or mortality of H. iris juveniles or the photosynthetic vitality of habitat forming CCA. H. iris did, however, avoid sediments by moving from predation refugia beneath cobbles to vertical surfaces on cobble edges significantly more often in sediment treatments compared to sediment-free controls. Deposited sediments were also found to inhibit righting response, key behaviour in allowing H. iris to reattach to the substratum following dislodgement. Results of this study suggest that indirect mortality from reductions in available refugia from predation and inability to recover from dislodgement could be significant. These results highlight the importance of understanding indirect impacts of stressors on key ecological processes in order to predict ecological responses.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the East Otago Taiāpure Management Committee for their knowledge, the University of Otago Portobello Marine Laboratory for laboratory space and access to field equipment, Dr. Stephen Wing for advice on experimental design and two anonymous reviewers for their input. We would like to thank Rory Kyle for field assistance and Reuben Pooley, Matt Baird, Megan Bedford, Chris Cornwall and Alex Ghaemaghamy for laboratory assistance. Support was provided through Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai programme funded by MBIE Te Tipu o te Wananga Grant Number UOOX0608.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand

    Caitlin A. Chew & Wayne Stephenson

  2. Department of Marine Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand

    Christopher D. Hepburn

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  1. Caitlin A. Chew
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Correspondence to Caitlin A. Chew.

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Communicated by S. Connell.

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Chew, C.A., Hepburn, C.D. & Stephenson, W. Low-level sedimentation modifies behaviour in juvenile Haliotis iris and may affect their vulnerability to predation. Mar Biol 160, 1213–1221 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2173-0

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