Effects of environmental factors on the distribution of shrimp in Western Port Bay, Victoria

This study investigated the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of shrimp in Western Port Bay from July 1977 to January 1980. Water temperature, salinity and oxygen concentrations at the sediment surface were measured from a boat at high tide during the field sampling (see parent record 'The ecology and trophic role of caridean shrimps in the eelgrass community of Western Port, Victoria', File identifier: 268431c0-f18e-11dc-aaae-00188b4c0af8). Additional measurements of low tide surface water temperature over the mudflats, sediments below the mud-water interface, and surface waters of the large, permanent channels between mudbanks were obtained. Above-ground vegetation cover was sampled monthly for 12 months at Site A. \n\nThe water temperature in the eelgrass ranged from 10 to 24 degrees Celsius during high tide and from 5 to 31 degrees Celsius during low tide. Salinity was close to fully marine throughout the warmer months of 1977-78, but fell to lower levels during the cooler months of 1978, presumably as a result of higher rainfall in the latter period. Oxygen concentrations were above 6 ppm at all sites during high and low tide sampling. The dry mass of above-round eelgrass was spatially heterogeneous with few changes in these patterns between seasons.

本研究于1977年7月至1980年1月期间，探讨了环境因子对西港湾（Western Port Bay）虾类分布的影响。野外采样阶段，研究人员于高潮时段乘船测定了沉积物表层的水温、盐度与溶氧浓度（详见父记录“维多利亚州西港湾海草群落中真虾类（caridean shrimps）的生态学与营养级作用”，文件标识符：268431c0-f18e-11dc-aaae-00188b4c0af8）。此外还补充测定了潮间带泥滩的低潮表层水温、泥水界面下沉积物的相关参数，以及泥滩间大型永久性航道的表层水温。研究人员于A站点对地上植被盖度开展了为期12个月的月度采样。

高潮时段海草床内的水温介于10至24摄氏度，低潮时段则为5至31摄氏度。1977至1978年暖季的盐度接近全海水水平，但1978年凉季盐度有所下降，推测与该时期降雨量增加有关。无论高潮还是低潮采样阶段，所有站点的溶氧浓度均高于6ppm。地上海草的干重存在空间异质性，且不同季节间的格局变化极小。