Method for the quantitative evaluation of ecosystem services in coastal regions.

Wetlands, tidal flats, seaweed beds, and coral reefs are valuable not only as habitats for many species, but also as places where people interact with the sea. Unfortunately, these areas have declined in recent years, so environmental improvement projects to conserve and restore them are being carried out across the world. In this study, we propose a method for quantifying ecosystem services, that is, useful for the proper maintenance and management of artificial tidal flats, a type of environmental improvement project.

Discrimination of Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) feces in deposited materials by fecal morphology.

In the present study, we determined the common morphological characteristics of the feces of Mytilus galloprovincialis to develop a method for visually discriminating the feces of this mussel in deposited materials. This method can be used to assess the effect of mussel feces on benthic environments. The accuracy of visual morphology-based discrimination of mussel feces in deposited materials was confirmed by DNA analysis.

Evaluation of steelmaking slag as basal media for coastal primary producers.

The use of granular steelmaking slag as a substitute for natural sand in the construction of tidal flats was investigated. Using an intertidal flat simulator, we evaluated dephosphorization slag mixed with 8% by dry weight of dredged sediment (DPS+DS) as a basal medium for the growth of benthic macro- and microalgae in comparison with silica sand mixed with 8% dredged sediment (SS+DS). Species compositions of macro- and microalgae were distinctly different between DPS+DS and SS+DS.

Habitat characteristics influencing distribution of the freshwater mussel Pronodularia japanensis and potential impact on the Tokyo bitterling, Tanakia tanago.

The physical habitat characteristics associated with spatial distribution patterns of the freshwater mussel Pronodularia japanensis, which is used for oviposition by the Tokyo bitterling Tanakia tanago, were investigated in a small stream within a Tokyo bitterling protected area. The distribution of the mussels was found to be in an under-dispersed, non-random spatial pattern. Mussel occurrence correlated negatively with sediment softness, and positively with flow velocity, while mussel abundance was associated negatively with sediment softness and positively with sediment type (particle size).