Journal article
Sub-lethal effects of off-road vehicles (ORVs) on surf clams on sandy beaches
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.380(1-2), pp.113-118
2009
Abstract
Ecological impacts of vehicle traffic are a significant environmental management issue on many sandy shores. Impacts usually focus on lethal effects of vehicles to organisms, but sub-lethal effects which could reduce the fitness of macrofauna populations are equally possible but unknown. Consequently, we measured changes in body condition and burrowing performance of the beach clam Donax deltoides subjected to vehicle traffic on sandy shores in eastern Australia. Body mass index of clams on beaches open to traffic was 16% lower, but gonadosomatic index and relative valve thickness were not consistently linked to vehicle access to beaches. By contrast, off-road vehicles significantly impaired the burrowing performance of clams. After experimental exposure to ORV traffic (30 passes) and dislodgement from the sediment, the time taken for clams to re-bury into the sand doubled irrespective of the vehicle weight used. Because burrowing is such a critical function in the behavioural repertoire of sandy beach animals, the traffic-induced changes to organisms' performance found in this study may increase mortality by causing displacement to less favourable habitats by swash, and by intensifying the risk of predation and desiccation. When assessing the ecological impacts of vehicles on beach fauna, it is thus important to consider both lethal and sub-lethal effects.
Details
- Title
- Sub-lethal effects of off-road vehicles (ORVs) on surf clams on sandy beaches
- Authors
- N Sheppard (Author) - Griffith UniversityK A Pitt (Author) - Griffith UniversityThomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.380(1-2), pp.113-118
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2009
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jembe.2009.09.009
- ISSN
- 0022-0981
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450110802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Ecology
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
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