Importance of Serpulid Reef to the Functioning of a Hypersaline Estuary

Biogenic reefs provide important ecological functions and services to coastal marine environments, supplying high levels of biodiversity, providing refuge foraging habitat, supporting fisheries. Serpulid are a relatively uncommon habitat in ecosystems globally that for diverse community organisms, have become target conservation management efforts due degradation loss. Baffin Bay, Texas, USA, is known exceptionally productive commercial recreational fisheries thought be supported by reef benthic macrofauna, particularly during regular periods hypersalinity. This study compared the functioning habitats with nearby soft sediment areas using quantitative faunal food web analyses. support unique macrofaunal 191 times greater abundance, 97 biomass, twice number species than sediments. In contrast soft-sediment abundance biomass were not correlated any measured water quality variables. Isotope compositions both suspension deposit-feeding macrofauna from (i.e., sediments) close organic matter sediment, demonstrating connectivity importance primary production types. Abundant inhabiting likely serve as an source sport fish other higher trophic-level fauna, hypersaline when macrobenthic resources scarce. Given substantial loss Bay’s historic levels, actions may warranted protect restore resources. The results this can used increase success such efforts.