Variation in environmental conditions in a subtidal prey refuge: effects of salinity stress, food availability and predation on mussels in a fjord system.

The article discusses a research study on environmental condition variation in a subtidal prey refuge of blue mussel Mystilus edulis galloprovincialis and the effects of low-salinity layer (LSL), predation and food availability in the waters of Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Conducted were fine oceanographic surveys and multi-layer observations in Doubtful Sound which showed vertical hydrocoast of temperature, nitrate concentration and conductivity while the mussels from 6 meters deep of mid-fjord zone were placed in predator exclusion cages. Results showed the significant impact of salinity on growth rate of mussels at 87% with low salinity-environmental stress exerting greatest influence on mussel growth rate within the critical subtidal prey area.