The macrozoobenthos of the subtidal western Dutch Wadden Sea: 1. Biomass and species richness
Dekker, R. (1989). The macrozoobenthos of the subtidal western Dutch Wadden Sea: 1. Biomass and species richness. Neth. J. Sea Res. 23(1): 57-68
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 |
During a one-year period in 1981-1982, a survey was conducted on the macrozoobenthos of the subtidal areas of the western half of the Dutch Wadden Sea. In total 80 species were found, half of them polychaetes. In terms of biomass, Mytilus edulis dominated the macrozoobenthos, with Hydrobia ulvae, Heteromastus filiformis, Carcinus maenas and Macoma balthica as other important species. Numerically important were also the polychaetes Pygospio elegans and Scoloplos armiger. Average macrozoobenthic biomass amounted to 43.7 g·m-2 ash-free dry weight. This value is in the same range as values from intertidal areas in the Wadden Sea. The relatively high value in comparison with data from similar subtidal areas is attributed to the important mussel culture in the area. |
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