Long-Term Stability of the Faunal Community of a Subtropical Estuary: Evaluating Disturbances in the Context of Interannual Variability

摘要: Estuarine and coastal marine ecosystems can have significant intra- interannual variability in faunal community structure, complicating management response to disturbances as disturbance effects must be detectable within normal on timescales relevant entities. We examined a long-term, multi-gear dataset estuarine (fish select invertebrate) communities determine if structure changes due could detected management-relevant (e.g., years), given that these known seasonal variability. Results from multivariate, community-based analyses, several univariate diversity indices for fauna of Tampa Bay, Florida, USA suggested general stability over the long term, with exceptions 2005–2006 (prolonged red tide event) 2010 (extreme cold event winter). Community was notably outside typical both time periods. In 2005, species richness decreased by half one gear type lowest record other two types. 2010, when relative abundance top predator 50% cold-related mortality, Simpson’s index type. The extreme-cold events differed duration number taxa directly impacted (multispecies vs. single-species, respectively) but multivariate analyses indicated deviation during years. Within 1–3 years after major events, however, seemed returned like previous years, suggesting long-term resilience. Our results confirm detect communities, which gives entities options analysis approach is appropriate their needs. Since Bay recovered 3 years, we suggest where monitoring exists, active restoration might deferred while signs recovery following removal perturbation. This fundamental part sound adaptive processes promote sustainable ecosystems.