Video transects reveal that tidal sand waves affect the spatial distribution of benthic organisms and sand ripples
Damveld, J.H.; van der Reijden, K.J.; Cheng, C.; Koop, L.; Haaksma, L.R.; Walsh, C.A.J.; Soetaert, K.; Borsje, B.W.; Govers, L.L; Roos, P.C.; Olff, H.; Hulscher, S.J.M.H. (2018). Video transects reveal that tidal sand waves affect the spatial distribution of benthic organisms and sand ripples. Geophys. Res. Lett. 45(21): 11,837-11,846. https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2018gl079858
Additional data:
In: Geophysical Research Letters. American Geophysical Union: Washington. ISSN 0094-8276; e-ISSN 1944-8007, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Damveld, J.H.
- van der Reijden, K.J.
- Cheng, C., more
- Koop, L.
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- Haaksma, L.R.
- Walsh, C.A.J.
- Soetaert, K., more
- Borsje, B.W.
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- Govers, L.L
- Roos, P.C.
- Olff, H.
- Hulscher, S.J.M.H.
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| Abstract |
The sandy seabed of shallow coastal shelf seas displays morphological patterns of various dimensions. The seabed also harbors a rich ecosystem. Increasing pressure from human‐induced disturbances necessitates further study on drivers of benthic community distributions over morphological patterns. Moreover, a greater understanding of the sand ripple distribution over tidal sand waves may improve morphological model predictions. Here we analyzed the biotic abundance and ripple morphology in sand wave troughs and crests using video transects. We found that both the epibenthos and endobenthos are significantly more abundant in sand wave troughs, where ripples are less abundant and more irregularly shaped. Finally, we show that camera systems are relatively quick and effective tools to study biotic spatial patterns in relation to seabed morphology. |
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