Seasonal changes in the biomass of the macro-benthos of a tidal flat area in the Dutch Wadden Sea
Beukema, J. (1974). Seasonal changes in the biomass of the macro-benthos of a tidal flat area in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Neth. J. Sea Res. 8(1): 94-107
In: Netherlands Journal of Sea Research. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ): Groningen; Den Burg. ISSN 0077-7579; e-ISSN 1873-1406, meer
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| Abstract |
Macrofauna benthos has been sampled frequently during 6 years at 3 intertidal stations on a tidal flat area in the westernmost part of the Wadden Sea. Biomass, expressed as ash-free dry weight, fluctuated with a regular annual pattern. Maximal amounts were observed every year at each station during the July-September periods, minimal amounts during the December-March periods. The steep increases during spring were for the greater part due to fast growth of animals already present in winter. Spat fall generally contributed only a minor part to the annual biomass increases. The declines during autumn were attributable both to decreases in numbers and to individual weight losses. The latter dominated in the big and deep-living specimen of 2 species (Mya arenaria and Arenicola marina) which comprised about half of the total biomass of the benthos. Among the predators feeding on the benthos at the tidal flats, fish, just as the shell-fish, are most numerous during summer, but monthly numbers of birds are unrelated to seasonal changes in availability of food. |
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