Settlement Recruitment of Sessile Marine Invertebrates onto Artificial Substrata suspended in water column within Fal

EstuaryDephiny Cesarano

Project Advisor: Luke. Fds Marine Science, Falmouth Marine School, Killigrew St Falmouth,

Cornwall TR11 3QS,

PROJECT PROPOSAL (2013/2014 ) TITLE:

OverviewMany studies demonstrate the material of substrata (e.g. clay, sandstone,

plastic, fibreglass) to determine the settlement of different assemblages. Anderson and Underwood (1994), illustrate how many species including

barnacles and oysters recruit in larger numbers on concrete or plywood than on fibreglass or aluminium.

The aim of this project is to research the effect of different artificial substrata on settlement recruitment of sessile marine invertebrates.

Pontoons benefit by being isolated from the seafloor, decreasing the chances of benthic predation, (Connell & Glasby 1999, Holloway & Connell, 2002).

A multivariate analysis showed assemblages on different substrata were significantly different after 1 or 2 months of submersion, but became more similar after longer periods.

Thus is indicating that the nature of the substratum can affect both initial colonisation of particular species and the development of the assemblage over time.

Key references, materials and resources

Key references

Journals Text Books

E-BooksWebsitesCommunication (e.g Talk with project supervisor)

• The resources will be from the Falmouth Marine school project fund.

Materials

(10 by 10 cm) Bare Aluminium

(10 by 10 cm) Marine plywood.

(10 by 10 cm) Polypropylene black panel

Industrial Methylated Spirits (IMV) Solution (Ethanol)

20 litre plastic container

100 point grid measuring 10 by 10 cm

Polypropylene braided cord

Microscope

Refuse bag

GPSLead fishing weights

Bucket

Associated external bodies and Organisations

Associated research and recommendationAnderson, M. J. & Underwood, A. J., 1994. Effects of substratum on the

recruitment and development of an intertidal estuarine fouling assemblage. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 184 (2), 217-236.

-Illustrate how many species including barnacles and oysters recruit in larger numbers on concrete or plywood than on fibreglass or aluminium. Connell, S. D. & Glasby, T. M., (1999). Do urban structures influence local

abundance and diversity of subtidal epibiota? A case study from Sydney Harbour, Australia. Marine Environmental Research, 47, 373-387.

-Talk about the influence of urban structures on abundance and diversity of subtidal epibiota.Hayward, P.J. and Ryland, J.S. (1995). Handbook of the Marine Fauna of

North- West Europe. 13th ed. New York: Oxford University Press Inc. p1-687.

-Handbook among others that will help in identification of the species.

MethodologyStep 1: Select the material panels (Marine plywood, Bare aluminium and

Polypropylene panel).Step 2: Decide on the panel dimension (must all have the same), in this case

(10cm by 10 cm) drill 2 holes at the top on each end of the panel and one at the bottom.

Step 3: Attach the lead fishing weight at the bottom hole of each panel.Step 4: Using braided polypropylene cord (about 60 cm in length) as the support

to hang them over the pontoon attach the panels onto the cord using plastic tie. Each cord will have one of each panel material 10 cm apart.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 twice, to have 3 sets of different material panel.Step 6: Remove a set of panels after every 2 months, and by using a container

filled halfway with sea water transport the panels to the lab; where the IMV solution would be used to preserve the each panel in their own separate clear container. Label each container to avoid confusion.

Step 7: Finally store in dark environment/ freeze. Then having space and time use the resources available to analyse the number of species present and abundance of each species. Record it onto a record sheet.

Using Statistical result analysisFor this project the total settlement of larvae species that will colonise

contrasting panel material will be compared by univariate analysis of AVONA.

Ethical reviewThe ethical review for this experiment due to the nature of this survey

many individual species (i.e. ascidians & sponges) will be directly affected due to removal from the water. Many of these individuals will survive for a couple of hours out of water. However they will be still in the early juvenile stage.

As this experiment is a sessile settlement panel survey the individuals may occasionally be removed from the panel for identification purposes. Although little is known about the stress level of these species on such surveys/ investigations.

However for this project investigations due to the circumstances, the species will be preserved.

Schedule of operations To record and investigate settlement recruitment of sessile invertebrates the

research had to be conducted in the reproductive season, when larvae and juveniles are most abundant (between June to September).

However, the project proposal at the time was uncertain and therefore will be looking at the settlement recruitment over end of autumn through winter ending in late spring.

Below is a structural Gantt chart showing the progress/time scale of the proposed project.

Gantt Chart-Progression plan

Diagram 1: Showing the Gantt chart- Progression plan.

Gantt Chart-Time scale

Diagram 2: Showing the Gantt chart- Time scale.

Contingency planThe original plan was to retrieve the set of panels after every 3 months,

however due to time constraints it seemed logical to retrieve the panels every 2 months.

The back-up project would be research the effect of different artificial substrata on settlement recruitment of sessile marine invertebrates in correlation to tidal currents /flow rates.

Any Questions?