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Effect of sedimentological and hydrodynamical changes in the intertidal areas of the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands) on distribution, density and biomass of five common macrobenthic species: Spio martinensis (Mesnil), Hydrobia ulvae (Pennant), Arenicola marina (L.), Scoloplos armiger (Muller) and Bathyporeia sp.

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The Oosterschelde Estuary (The Netherlands): a Case-Study of a Changing Ecosystem

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 97))

Abstract

In order to evaluate the impact of the construction of the storm-surge barrier and secondary dams on macrobenthos of the tidal flats in the Oosterschelde (SW Netherlands), changes in distribution, density and biomass of five common species (Spio martinensis, Hydrobia ulvae, Arenicola marina, Scoloplos armiger and Bathyporeia sp) were analysed.

Data on macrobenthos were collected from 1979 to 1989 on five different tidal flats. Changes in sediment texture and hydrodynamic factors during the construction and after the completion of the coastal engineering project were taken into account.

Three severe winters in a row caused more disturbance in the population of the main predator of S. armiger than did the hydrodynamical changes. A temporary prolongation of the emersion time (in 1986 and 1987) caused a temporary decrease in juvenile A. marina. But afterwards they still occupy the same ‘nursery grounds’. Increased wave action on the edges of the flats probably created new niches for Bathyporeia sp. and Spio martinensis, replacing other benthic species.

It is not yet clear what has caused the decline of H. ulvae in many places in the Oosterschelde estuary. Parasitic infestation is one of the possibilities.

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Author notes

  1. J. Seys & P. M. Meire

    Present address: Institute of Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Kiewitdreef 5, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, P.O. Box 8039, 4330 EA, Middelburg, The Netherlands

    J. Coosen

  2. Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Zoogeography and Nature Conservation, University of Ghent, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Gent, Belgium

    J. Seys & P. M. Meire

  3. Netherlands Institute of Ecology C.E.M.O., Vierstraat 28, 4401 EA, Yerseke, The Netherlands

    J. A. M. Craeymeersch

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P. H. Nienhuis A. C. Smaal

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Coosen, J., Seys, J., Meire, P.M., Craeymeersch, J.A.M. (1994). Effect of sedimentological and hydrodynamical changes in the intertidal areas of the Oosterschelde estuary (SW Netherlands) on distribution, density and biomass of five common macrobenthic species: Spio martinensis (Mesnil), Hydrobia ulvae (Pennant), Arenicola marina (L.), Scoloplos armiger (Muller) and Bathyporeia sp.. In: Nienhuis, P.H., Smaal, A.C. (eds) The Oosterschelde Estuary (The Netherlands): a Case-Study of a Changing Ecosystem. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 97. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1174-4_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1174-4_18

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