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

Macrobenthic community structure of soft-bottom sediments at the Belgian Continental Shelf
Van Hoey, G.; Degraer, S.; Vincx, M. (2004). Macrobenthic community structure of soft-bottom sediments at the Belgian Continental Shelf. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 59(4): 599-613. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2003.11.005
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015
Related to:
Van Hoey, G.; Degraer, S.; Vincx, M. (2006). Macrobenthic community structure of soft-bottom sediments at the Belgian Continental Shelf, in: Van Hoey, G. Spatio-temporal variability within the macrobenthic Abra alba community, with emphasis on the structuring role of Lanice conchilega = Ruimtelijke en temporele variabiliteit binnen de macrobenthische Abra alba gemeenschap met nadruk op de structurerende rol van Lanice conchilega. pp. 37-56, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors | Dataset 

Keywords
    Aquatic communities > Benthos
    Composition > Community composition
    Abra alba (W. Wood, 1802) [WoRMS]; Lanice conchilega (Pallas, 1766) [WoRMS]
    ANE, Belgium, Belgian Continental Shelf (BCS) [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    macrobenthos; community structure; sandy sediments; Belgian Continental Shelf

Authors  Top | Dataset 

Abstract
    Within the frame of different research projects, a large number of sites at the Belgian Continental Shelf (BCS) have been sampled for the macrobenthos between 1994 and 2000. These samples cover a diverse range of habitats: from the sandy beaches to the open sea, from the gullies between the sandbanks to the tops of the sandbanks, and from clay to coarse sandy sediments. To investigate the large-scale spatial distribution of the macrobenthos of the Belgian Continental Shelf, the data of all these research projects -728 samples- were combined and analysed. By means of several multivariate techniques, 10 sample groups with similar macrobenthic assemblage structure were distinguished. Each sample group is found in a particular physico-chemical environment and has a specific species composition. Four sample groups differ drastically, both in habitat and species composition, and are considered to represent four macrobenthic communities: (1) the muddy fine sand Abra alba-Mysella bidentata community is characterized by high densities and diversity; (2) the Nephtys cirrosa community occurs in well-sorted sandy sediments and is characterized by low densities and diversity; (3) very low densities and diversity typify the Ophelia limacine-Glycera lapidum community, which is found in coarse sandy sediments and (4) the Eurydice pulchra-Scolelepis squamata community is typical for the upper intertidal zone of sandy beaches. These macrobenthic communities are not isolated from each other, but are linked through six transitional species assemblages. The transition between the A. alba-M. bidentata community and the N. cirrosa community is characterized by a reduction in the mud content and is dominated by Magelona johnstoni. The transition between the N. cirrosa and the O. limacine-G. lapidum community is distinctive by decreasing densities and coincides with a gradual transition between medium and coarse sandy sediments. From the N. cirrosa to the E. pulchra-S. squamata community, transitional species assemblages related to the transition from the subtidal to the intertidal environment were found. Each community or transitional species assemblages was found over a specific range along the onshore-offshore gradient, four types can be discerned: (1) almost restricted to the nearshore area, but possible wider distribution; (2) distributed over the full onshore-offshore gradient; (3) restricted to the near-shore area and (4) restricted to the sandy beach environment. The diversity pattern on the BCS follows this division, with species rich and poor assemblages in the near-shore area to only species poor assemblages more offshore. The distribution and diversity patterns are linked to the habitat type, distinguished by median grain size and mud content.

Dataset
  • Macrodat database 2 (Nov 2004), more

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


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