Reductions in Ghost Crab Populations Reflect Urbanization of Beaches and Dunes

R Noriega; Thomas Schlacher; B Smeuninx

doi:10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-09-00173.1

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Reductions in Ghost Crab Populations Reflect Urbanization of Beaches and Dunes

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Reductions in Ghost Crab Populations Reflect Urbanization of Beaches and Dunes

R Noriega, Thomas Schlacher and B Smeuninx

Journal of Coastal Research, Vol.28(1), pp.123-131

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-09-00173.1

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Abstract

ghost crabs

beaches

human impacts

dunes

ecological indicators

Coastal management is being challenged to develop and implement measures that safeguard the ecological values of beach and dune ecosystems, particularly in urban settings. Monitoring the efficacy of such interventions requires reliable indicators of ecological change. Here, we tested the efficacy of ghost crabs (Genus Ocypode) to reflect changes in the degree of human beach use and habitat modifications. This was done across six beaches that differed in the degree of "urbanization" on Australia's Gold Coast, which ranks amongst the country's most intensively developed coastal areas. Population densities of crabs closely match the levels of beach use and human disturbance: Beaches with fewer visitors are less likely to be raked mechanically, thereby, supporting significantly higher numbers of crabs than do beaches with more visitors, which are cleaned more frequently. These spatial differences were consistent across eight surveys. Beaches backed by wider dunes that were more densely vegetated were better habitats than were the beaches with severely modified dunes. From a management perspective, our findings emphasize the critical role of maintaining-and possibly restoring-all remnant dune habitats. A premium on conserving dunes should be complemented by continued visitor management and new initiatives to develop and use more ecologically sensitive beach cleaning techniques

Details

Title: Reductions in Ghost Crab Populations Reflect Urbanization of Beaches and Dunes
Authors: R Noriega (Author) - Griffith University
Thomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
B Smeuninx (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Journal of Coastal Research, Vol.28(1), pp.123-131
Publisher: Coastal Education & Research Foundation, Inc.
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-09-00173.1
ISSN: 0749-0208
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449777902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Geography, Physical; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

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