Potential Effect of Bioturbation by Burrowing Crabs on Sediment Parameters in Coastal Salt Marshes

摘要: Burrowing crabs are main constituent of estuarine wetlands ecosystems, and provide a variety ecosystem functions including providing food for waterbirds fishes, promoting nutrients cycling, processing sediments deposition. Helice tientsinensis is the dominant crab species which inhabits almost entire intertidal marshes Yellow River Delta. However, long time we ignored bioturbation in this area. We know little about whether have potential effects on sediment environment. Here, investigated burrow characteristics three marsh zones, also analysed parameters among mounds (chimneys), flats (flat areas between burrows), controls (outside bed) fecal deposit. found that was softer than flat control areas. Higher density indicates sediment. Crab had saltier soil flats. Our results showed total nitrogen, carbon organic matter varied mounds, flats, deposit, indicated redistribution cycling. study essential to clear roles ecosystems will benefit coastal saltmarsh protection restoration.