Xie B., Wu J.X. and Huang L.F.. 2019. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 148: 156-167.

Spatial-temporal variations of macrofouling organisms that attach to ecological floating beds (EFBs) in the Yundang Lagoon were investigated to identify factors that influence the appearance of macrofouling organisms. Results show that the composition, abundance, biomass, and dominance of macrofouling organisms on EFBs exhibited signifcant seasonal variation. Pearson correlation analysis indicates that the abundance and biomass of the bivalve Mytilopsis sallei showed negative correlation with root biomass (p < 0.05) and particulate matter (p < 0.05). Environmental (temperature and salinity, p < 0.05) and biological (bottom-up control) factors are the main drivers of population turnover. There were signifcant species differences of macrofouling organisms within the different parts of the lagoon, which were attributed to environmental characteristics such as hydrodynamics, dissolved oxygen, and the degree of eutrophication. Results of this study provide a basis for controlling macrofouling organisms, while improving the stability of EFBs and the efciency of ecological restoration.

Figure 1. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of macrofouling organisms and environmental variables in different sites and months (MC: main canal, IB: inner bay, SB: Songbai Lake).

Figure 2. Influence of Mytilopsis sallei on the growth of plant roots. A-roots without macrofouling organisms; B-roots attached with high density of bivalves Mytilopsis sallei.