IMIS | Lifewatch regional portal

You are here

IMIS

[ report an error in this record ] Print this page

Effect of a small-scale hydrodynamic perturbation on the benthic macrofauna in the Western scheldt in 2002-2006 [Effet d'une perturbation hydrodynamique à petite échelle sur la macrofaune benthique dans l'escaut]
Citation
Claverie T., Herman P. 2003: Effect of a small-scale hydrodynamic perturbation on the benthic macrofauna. Netherlands Institute of Ecology; Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology, Netherlands. Metadata available at http://mda.nioo.knaw.nl/imis.php?module=dataset&dasid=1099. https://marineinfo.org/id/dataset/1099

Archived data

Archived file:
Availability: Restricted
The data are withheld from general circulation and disclosure but access may be obtained on a case-by-case basis through negotiation

Notes: Release with permission of the appropriate parties

Description
Bamboo patches of two different densities were put on a mud flat in January 2002. Subsequently larval settlement (June) and adult macrofauna structure (August) were analyzed in a transect perpendicular to the ripple marks across the patch (upstream, inside and downstream). Sediment composition was also determined. more

Small-scale spatial patterns in benthic populations are mainly explicable by biological processes. This experiment was performed in order to see if it was possible to explain a macrobenthic population patterning at a scale of a few meters by an experimental hydrodynamic modification. Bamboo patches of two different densities were put on a mud flat in January 2002. Subsequently larval settlement (June) and adult macrofauna structure (August) were analyzed in a transect perpendicular to the ripple marks across the patch (upstream, inside and downstream). Sediment composition was also determined. Field observations and flume measurements permit to characterize the hydrodynamic modifications. The flume experiment showed that the bamboo patches induced an increase in turbulence. Moreover the field observations revealed erosion in the front part of the patch and sedimentation in the back. The analyses of the sediment composition showed a decrease in the percentage of mud in the high-density area and particularly inside the patches. Multivariate analysis of the fauna data showed differences in macrofauna assemblages that can be explained by one axis linked with the bamboo density. Analyses of variance of the macrobenthic density and biomass data showed a decrease of the suspension feeder density inside and behind the patches. Sub-surface deposit feeders decreased behind the patches relative to the other positions, but the high variability in the control did not allow to conclude whether this was due to an increase behind the patches, or to a decrease inside. No distinct pattern was seen for surface deposit feeders, and negative effects of the bamboo density were recorded for the predators and omnivores. Moreover, larval recruitment was also negatively affected by the bamboo patches. We suggest that the suspension feeders were directly affected by the hydrodynamic modification, whereas the other groups were more indirectly influenced.

Scope
Themes:
Biology, Biology > Benthos, Biology > Ecology - biodiversity, Bottom samples (e.g. core, dredge, grab), Geology - Geophysics - Sedimentation, Geology - Geophysics - Sedimentation > Sediments - rocks - pore waters, Physical, Physical > Currents - drift - dispersion - tracers
Keywords:
Brackish water, Benthic fauna, Macrobenthos, Macrofauna, Perturbations, Scale models, ANE, Netherlands, Westerschelde, Molenplaat, ANE, Scheldt Estuary, Bivalvia, Crustacea, Mysida, Nemertina, Oligochaeta, Pisces, Polychaeta, Terebelliformia

Geographical coverage
ANE, Netherlands, Westerschelde, Molenplaat Stations [Marine Regions]
Molenplaat
Coordinates: Long: 3,95; Lat: 51,4333 [WGS84]
ANE, Scheldt Estuary [Marine Regions]

Temporal coverage
31 January 2002 - 31 August 2003

Taxonomic coverage
Bivalvia [WoRMS]
Crustacea [WoRMS]
Mysida [WoRMS]
Nemertina [WoRMS]
Oligochaeta [WoRMS]
Pisces [WoRMS]
Polychaeta [WoRMS]
Terebelliformia [WoRMS]

Parameters
Current velocity water
Density
Fish density
Height of disposed sediment
Length
Median grain size
Wet weight biomass

Contributor
Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee; NIOZ Yerseke, moredata owner

Publication
Based on this dataset
Claverie, T. (2002-2003). Effet d'une pertubation hydrodynamique à petite échelle sur la macrofaune benthique. Thesis. Université de Liège, Faculté des Sciences: Yerseke. 41 pp., more

Dataset status: Completed
Data type: Data
Data origin: Research: field experiment
Metadatarecord created: 2007-03-14
Information last updated: 2015-12-04
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy