The students from the Department of Biology Sciences (Marine Biology course) undertook an excursion to the Forth Estuary "Torry Bay" on 08thMarch, 2004. The students collected different samples from three investigation locations (Sandier flats, Mud flats and Torry Burn). On 22ndMarch, 2004 the collected samples of the excursion were examined at the laboratory of the University of Stirling.
Samples were collected by the water surface “puddles”, sediment water and sediment cores for later examinations in lab. The salinity was determined by the water surface and by the sediment water sample in place. In addition lugworm casts counted in square (1 m x 1m). The collected samples were analyzed in the lab; two weeks later about to estimate the ecosystem in estuaries and sea coasts, i.e. which roll they play in the flow of energy through the ecosystem and to determine in outline the distribution of organisms in relation to the environmental features. At last the GPS data was recorded to hold the geographical location were the samples were taken.
The area under investigation “The Firth of Forth” is located on the east coast of central Scotland. It is a complex estuarine site, stretching for over 100 km from the River Forth at Stirling eastwards past Edinburgh and along the coasts of Fife and East Lothian to a wide estuary mouth. A wide range of coastal and intertidal habitats is found within the site. Extensive mud-flats occur particularly in the Inner Firth, notably at Kinneil Kerse and Skinflats on the south shore and Torry Bay on the north shore. Typically, the flats support a rich invertebrate fauna, with EelgrassZosteraspp. growing on the main mud-flats, both features providing important food sources for the large numbers of migrating and wintering water birds that depend on the estuary. The Firth is of major importance for a rich assemblage of water birds in the migration periods and through the winter.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Material and Method
3. Results
3.1 Fauna from Torry Burn, South Alloa, Kincardine and S Queensferry
3.2 Abundance, biomass and productivity of mean species from Torry Bay, South Alloa, Kincardine and S Queensferry
3.3 Arenicola marina casts from Torry Bay
3.4 Physical data of sediment in Torry Bay
3.4 Flora
4. Discussion
4.1 Fauna from Torry Burn, South Alloa, Kincardine and S Queensferry
4.2 Abundance, biomass and productivity of mean species from Torry Bay, South Alloa, Kincardine and S Queensferry
4.3 Arenicola marina casts from Torry Bay
4.4 Physical data of sediment in Torry Bay
4.4 Flora
5. Conclusion
6. References
Research Objectives and Topics
This report investigates the estuarine ecosystem of Torry Bay within the Firth of Forth, aiming to determine the distribution of benthic organisms in relation to environmental features and to estimate their role in the flow of energy through the ecosystem.
- Analysis of benthic fauna abundance, biomass, and productivity
- Comparison of biological data across different estuarine locations
- Examination of physical sediment characteristics and salinity levels
- Investigation of lugworm (Arenicola marina) activity through cast counts
- Assessment of trophic relationships within the estuarine food web
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Abundance, biomass and productivity of mean species from Torry Bay, South Alloa, Kincardine and S Queensferry
In Table 1 and 2 comparisons is made between the abundance (m-2), biomass (gm-2) and productivity (gm-2y-1) of living animals in the bottom deposits of estuaries.
The Hydrobia ulvae has the highest abundance (1259,3 m-2) in Torry Bay Sand, the biomass was very small (0.38 gm-2), which produced a total of 0.44 gm-2y-1. Corophium volutator has the highest abundance in Torry Bay Mud (2024,7 m-2) and in Torry Burn (916,7 m-2). The biomass in Torry Bay Mud was 1,52 gm-2, which produced a total of 6,83 gm-2y-1 and the biomass in Torry Burn was o,69 gm-2, which produced a total of 3,69 gm-2y-1. Nereis diversicolor is the most exponent in South Alloa with an abundance of 1555,6 m-2, the biomass was 8,24 gm-2, which produced a total of 18,14 gm-2y-1. Nephtys hombergi has the highest abundance (888,9 m-2) in S Queensferry, the biomass was 2,84 gm-2, which produced a total of 4,84 gm-2y-1. In Kincardine was a very small amount of Nereis diversicolor at the opposite at South Alloa.
The number of animals in estuaries depends on three major biotic factors. These are food supply, supply of colonising larvae and interspecific competition, whereby food supply is the main factor to control the biomass and productivity of estuarine animals. (MCLUSKY)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the excursion to Torry Bay and the subsequent laboratory analysis to assess the estuarine ecosystem's energy flow and organism distribution.
2. Material and Method: It details the field collection techniques at various shore locations and the laboratory procedures used to quantify fauna abundance, biomass, and productivity.
3. Results: This section presents the collected data regarding species found, their calculated abundance, biomass, and productivity, alongside physical sediment and salinity measurements.
4. Discussion: The results are interpreted by comparing species distribution across sites and exploring the environmental and biotic factors influencing estuarine productivity and food webs.
5. Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, highlighting the relationships between taxa, sediment types, and the importance of P/B ratios in energy transfer.
6. References: Provides the source material used for the theoretical background of the report.
Keywords
Estuary, Torry Bay, Firth of Forth, Benthic organisms, Abundance, Biomass, Productivity, Salinity, Sediment, Food web, Arenicola marina, Corophium volutator, Macoma balthica, Hydrobia ulvae, Ecology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this report?
The report focuses on investigating the ecosystems in estuaries and sea coasts, specifically through a practical investigation of Torry Bay in the Firth of Forth.
What are the central research themes?
The central themes include the spatial distribution of benthic fauna, the estimation of biomass and productivity, and the impact of environmental variables like salinity and sediment type.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The primary goal is to estimate the role of different organisms in the energy flow through the estuarine ecosystem and to determine their distribution based on environmental features.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The methodology included field sampling (sediment cores and quadrat counts), laboratory analysis (microscopic identification and counting), and calculations using established formulas for abundance, biomass, and annual production.
What is covered in the main section of the report?
The main section covers the results of the fauna identification, physical sediment data, and a discussion of the biotic and abiotic factors, such as food supply and salinity, that control the ecosystem.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The most characterizing keywords are estuary, benthic organisms, abundance, biomass, productivity, and food web.
Why are Arenicola marina casts counted in this study?
Arenicola marina casts are counted as a practical method to assess the presence and activity of these organisms within different sediment zones at Torry Bay.
How does the report differentiate between the trophic levels?
The report categorizes organisms into primary producers (algae, phytoplankton), primary consumers (detritus feeders, filter feeders), and secondary consumers (invertebrate/vertebrate predators) to map the food web.
What does the P/B ratio signify in this context?
The P/B ratio represents the productivity-to-biomass ratio, which is used to measure the rate of energy transfer within the ecosystem; a higher ratio indicates more efficient production of organic material.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2004, The Ecosystems in estuaries and sea coasts systems, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/54347
