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Long-term development of biomass of intertidal macrozoobenthos in different parts of the Wadden Sea. Governed by nutrient loads?

  • Eutrophication
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Abstract

Long-term data sets on intertidal macrozoobenthos from Danish, German and Dutch parts of the international Wadden Sea were analysed for trends in biomass of molluscs, polychaetes and crustaceans. Patterns in long-term development were compared with data on nutrient loads from freshwater sources and with regional data on chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations in the water column. Fluctuation patterns of total biomass were strongly determined by fluctuations of bivalve biomass. Especially in bivalves these fluctuation patterns show synchronisation due to the different impact of severe winters (1979, 1985–87) and mild winters (1988–90). Indications were found for a consistent increasing trend in polychaetes. Most of the data sets do not allow a proper analysis of a possible causal relationship between nutrient input and biomass development of macrozoobenthos. Moreover, for such an analysis better information on nutrient load related food supply for macrozoobenthos is necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, P.O. Box 207, NL-9750, AE Haren, The Netherlands

    Karel Essink

  2. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, NL-1790 AB, Den Burg, The Netherlands

    Jan J. Beukema

  3. Ribe Amtskommune, Sorsigvej 35, DK-6760, Ribe, Denmark

    Poul B. Madsen

  4. Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Ökologie, Forschungsstelle Küste, An der Mühle 5, D-26548, Norderney, Germany

    Hermann Michaelis

  5. Sunderjyllands Amt, Jomfrustien 2, DK-6270, Tonder, Denmark

    Grace R. Vedel

Authors
  1. Karel Essink
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  2. Jan J. Beukema
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  3. Poul B. Madsen
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  4. Hermann Michaelis
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  5. Grace R. Vedel
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Essink, K., Beukema, J.J., Madsen, P.B. et al. Long-term development of biomass of intertidal macrozoobenthos in different parts of the Wadden Sea. Governed by nutrient loads?. Senckenbergiana maritima 29, 25–35 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03043940

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