The role of fringing mangroves in supporting macroinvertebrate fauna in an arid, macrotidal region of Australia

In arid, macrotidal mangrove systems like those in the Dampier Archipelago, infaunal invertebrate communities are more influenced by physical environmental conditions—such as sediment grain size and particulate organic matter (POM)—than by the presence of mangroves themselves. Research found that infaunal abundance and diversity were three times higher during the dry season compared to the wet season, with optimal conditions occurring at intermediate sediment grain sizes and POM levels. Stable isotope analysis further revealed that while mangrove-derived nutrients play a significant role in food web dynamics, their contribution varies widely among species, from ~70% in herbivorous Mangrove whelks to as low as 5% in filter-feeding Rock oysters. This study highlights the complex interplay between local and external nutrient sources in sustaining these ecosystems, providing critical baseline data for evidence-based conservation efforts—particularly relevant for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape, a candidate UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beltran, L. (2025). The role of fringing mangroves in supporting macroinvertebrate fauna in an arid, macrotidal region of Australia [Edith Cowan University]. https://doi.org/10.25958/736S-CM95