Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
EU Network of Excellence

 
Main Menu

· Home
· Contacts
· Data Systems
· Documents
· FAQ
· Links
· MarBEF Open Archive
· Network Description
· Outreach
· Photo Gallery
· Quality Assurance
· Register of Resources
· Research Projects
· Rules and Guidelines
· Training
· Wiki
· Worldconference

 

Register of Resources (RoR)

 People  |  Datasets  |  Literature  |  Institutes  |  Projects 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Spatial patterns of the hyperbenthos of subtidal sandbanks in the southern North Sea
Dewicke, A.; Cattrijsse, A.; Mees, J.; Vincx, M. (2003). Spatial patterns of the hyperbenthos of subtidal sandbanks in the southern North Sea. J. Sea Res. 49(1): 27-45. dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1385-1101(02)00167-3
In: Journal of Sea Research. Elsevier/Netherlands Institute for Sea Research: Amsterdam; Den Burg. ISSN 1385-1101; e-ISSN 1873-1414
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Analysis > Mathematical analysis > Statistical analysis > Variance analysis > Multivariate analysis
    Aquatic communities > Benthos
    Biodiversity
    Sedimentary structures > Bed forms > Banks (topography) > Sand banks
    Peracarida [WoRMS]
    ANE, Belgium [Marine Regions]; ANE, Netherlands, Westerschelde [Marine Regions]; ANE, North Sea [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    hyperbenthos; Peracarida; community structure; biodiversity; North Sea; sandbanks; multivariate analysis

Authors  Top 
  • Dewicke, A.
  • Cattrijsse, A.
  • Mees, J., more
  • Vincx, M., more

Abstract
    The hyperbenthos of the Belgian continental shelf, the Dutch continental shelf off Zeeland and the Westerschelde estuary was sampled. Seven biotic communities were identified and the distribution was correlated with the presence of isolated sandbanks. A community in the Westerschelde estuary was different from the shelf hyperbenthos and was characterised by the highest density and biomass and lowest diversity. Two gradients in community structure were detected on the continental shelf: the principal onshore-offshore gradient perpendicular to the coastline and a less pronounced east-west gradient parallel to the coastline. The first gradient mainly indicated differences in density and biomass, while the second reflected species richness and diversity. The holohyperbenthos reached highest densities onshore and consisted nearly exclusively of mysids; Schistomysis spiritus and S. kervillei were the most common species. The high levels of suspended matter and mud in this area probably advantage this motile fauna in terms of food. Community composition altered with distance from the shore and planktonic species increased in abundance. Estuarine influence may have caused a decline of species richness eastward. The merohyperbenthos was most abundant at a certain distance from the coast and was mainly composed of a variety of larval decapods. Biomass peaked onshore with a dominance of postlarval gobies. A strong diversity gradient was found for the merohyperbenthos with a richer fauna off the Belgian coast than in the waters off Zeeland. Current direction and habitat heterogeneity are believed to be the most important structuring factors.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors 


If any information here appears to be incorrect, please contact us
Back to Register of Resources
 
Quick links

MarBEF WIKI

Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC)
Outreach

Science
Responsive Mode Programme (RMP) - Marie Nordstrom, copyright Aspden Rebecca

WoRMS
part of WoRMS logo

ERMS 2.0
Epinephelus marginatus Picture: JG Harmelin

EurOBIS

Geographic System

Datasets

 


Web site hosted and maintained by Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) - Contact data-at-marbef.org