盐城淤泥质潮滩湿地潮沟发育及其对米草扩张的影响

潮沟是潮滩上发育典型的地貌因子,是潮滩演变的重要标志。米草植被的发育与扩张,改变了潮流的动力特征和滩面物质组成,从而形成了特殊的米草潮沟系统。采用实地调查与遥感影像相结合的方法,分析了湿地潮沟的整体形态特征,并重点对米草潮沟系统的形态特征及成因进行了系统分析。结果表明:①受潮流和地形作用的控制,本区并无大型潮沟分布,潮沟规模从北至南依次增大,发育高程为0—1.8 m。盐沼和光滩上潮沟形态截然不同。②米草潮沟系统具有独特特征:潮沟多窄而深、密度大、分级多、侧向迁移小于纵向迁移、宽深比较小;潮沟两侧发育高度不等的不对称性的沿岸堤;盐沼边缘发育有陡坎和冲沟,并贯穿整个米草带。③潮沟的发育是影响米草向内陆碱蓬区扩张的因素之一,起着非常重要的引领作用,而米草陆向扩张的宽度和幅度取决于所在区域潮沟的发育程度。同时,随米草扩张速度的降低,光滩上潮沟的活动性有所放缓。     

林业活动对区域森林生物量碳源汇格局的影响——以南平市为例

林业活动在一定程度上影响着区域森林的时空分布格局和碳汇/源功能。明确并量化林业活动对区域森林碳汇功能的影响与空间分布,对于区域森林碳汇提升和实现区域\"碳中和\"具有重要意义。以国家级生态示范区福建省南平市为例,以多期森林资源规划调查数据为基础,采用IPCC材积源-生物量法,基于土地利用类型的时空变化和林业活动类型划分,分类分析了南平市森林碳源和碳汇的空间分布特征,并量化了不同林业活动（一直保持为森林、人工造林、自然恢复、毁林和森林退化）对森林碳汇和碳源的影响。研究结果表明,2013年南平市森林碳储量总量为80.84Tg C,2020年森林碳储量总量增加至89.87Tg C,年均变化量为1.29Tg C/a （或4.73Tg CO₂/a）。平均胸径、公顷蓄积等林分因子是当前主要影响森林碳储量的因素。在其他影响因素中,暗红壤分布区的森林生物质碳密度较高而在水稻土分布区则较低;此外,高海拔、中等立地质量土地上的森林碳密度较高。对于不同林业活动,2013-2020年南平市一直保持为森林（森林经营）、自然恢复增加的天然林和人工造林分别使森林生物质碳储量增加了0.34Tg C/a、0.85Tg C/a和1.05Tg C/a,同期因毁林和森林退化导致森林生物质碳储量分别减少0.75Tg C/a和0.42Tg C/a,森林生物质碳储量净增加1.09Tg C/a （或3.98Tg CO₂/a）,明显低于2013-2020森林碳储量净增量。对于土地利用变化较剧烈的区域,本文基于土地利用变化且区分林业活动路径的方法,能更准确地反映森林的碳汇和碳源及时空格局。2013-2020年间南平市一直保持为森林的生物质碳密度仅增长0.22Mg C hm^-2 a^-1,成熟林、过熟林面积占比增加使森林平均生长速率下降可能是主要原因。而同期通过自然恢复和人工造林使森林生物质碳密度分别增长4.00Mg C hm^-2 a^-1和4.10Mg C hm^-2 a^-1。优化龄组结构提升森林生长量、减少毁林和防止森林退化可以作为该区域未来森林增汇减排的有效举措。     

气候变化对森林土壤有机碳贮藏影响的研究进展

森林土壤有机碳库是全球碳循环的重要组成部分,其积累和分解的变化直接影响陆地生态系统的碳贮藏与全球的碳平衡.气候变化将影响植物光合作用及土壤有机碳的分解和转化过程,进而影响森林土壤有机碳贮量及土壤碳动态.温度、降水、大气CO2浓度等气候因子对森林土壤碳贮藏均具有重要影响.了解气候变化对森林土壤有机碳贮藏的影响有助于人们科学管理森林碳库以及进一步寻找缓解气候变化的可行途径.为此,本文综述了森林土壤有机碳贮量的分布以及升温、降水变化和大气CO2浓度升高对森林土壤有机碳贮藏影响的国内外研究进展,并提出了有关的研究展望.     

水分对湿地沉积物有机碳矿化的影响

采用室内模拟试验研究了 5个水分梯度下两种湿地沉积物有机碳的矿化特征。结果表明 ,沼泽化草甸有机碳矿化速率在培养 30 d后基本达到稳定状态。沼泽化草甸有机碳矿化适宜的含水量为 6 6 % WHC左右 ,且达到适宜含水量后 ,有机碳的矿化不受含水量增加的影响 ,矿化速率基本稳定。泥炭沼泽有机碳在 30 % WHC、5 0 % WHC两个水分梯度下 ,培养 30 d后 ,分别出现一个大约 10 0 d和 6 0 d的快速矿化期。泥炭沼泽有机碳矿化的适宜含水量为 30 % WHC左右 ,超过适宜含水量后 ,其有机碳的矿化对水分变化反应非常敏感 ,水分过多明显抑制其有机碳的矿化。水分对两种湿地有机碳矿化影响机制的差异是造成两类湿地生态系统有机碳积累量差异的主要原因之一。研究结果还表明 ,泥炭沼泽湿地积水环境的减弱将会加速其有机碳的矿化 ,造成湿地有机碳的大量损失     

温度对湿地沉积物有机碳矿化的影响

温度是湿地沉积物有机碳积累和分解的主要影响因子。培养试验研究了 5个温度梯度下东北三江平原地区 3类典型湿地(泥炭沼泽、腐殖质沼泽和沼泽化草甸 )沉积物有机 C的矿化特征 ,以及冻融过程 (7次 )对其矿化的影响。结果表明 ,温度每升高5℃ ,泥炭沼泽、腐殖质沼泽和沼泽化草甸沉积物在 2 6 0 d培养期内有机 C矿化量分别增加 3.1%、3.3%和 1.6 %。在较低温度(10、15、2 0℃ )下 3类湿地沉积物的有机 C矿化速率基本处于稳定状态 ;但在较高温度 (2 5、30℃ )下前期 (0～ 110 d)的矿化速率明显高于后期。 3类湿地沉积物有机 C矿化温度系数 (Q1 0 )在前期较大 (2 .9～ 3.6 ) ,并出现明显的波动 ,后期逐渐趋于稳定(2 .0 )。到培养结束时 ,泥炭沼泽和腐殖质沼泽沉积物的轻组 C(比重 <1.7)占总有机 C百分比 (约占起始有机 C总量 80 % )的下降幅度与温度成正相关 ;而沼泽化草甸沉积物的轻组有机 C(仅占起始有机 C总量 5 % )的下降幅度较小 (2 .5 %～ 2 .9% )。试验结果还表明 ,在 2 0℃下培养 ,3类湿地沉积物的有机 C矿化速度明显受冻融处理的抑制 ,在 10℃下培养其影响则很小     

盐度和淹水对长江口潮滩盐沼植物碳储量的影响

盐生植物是盐沼有机碳储存的\"临时库\",也是土壤有机碳累积的主要来源,其碳储量大小对盐沼生态系统\"碳汇\"功能的发挥十分重要。以长江口潮滩本地种芦苇(Phragmites australis)和海三棱藨草(Scirpus mariqueter),及入侵种互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)为研究对象,采用单因素盆栽实验,模拟分析淹水盐度(0、5、10、15、25和35)、淹水深度(0、10、20、40、60cm和80cm)和淹水频率(每天、每3天、每7天、每10天和每15天)变化对各盐生植物地上、地下和总体碳储量大小的影响。研究结果表明,随着淹水盐度增加,芦苇、互花米草和海三棱藨草地上部分与总体碳储量均显著降低。土壤盐度可分别解释其地上部分碳储量变异的47.2%、66.5%和72.7%,与总体碳储量变异的34.7%、45.0%和62.0%。随着淹水深度增加,芦苇地上部分、总体碳储量和海三棱藨草地上部分碳储量均显著降低,其变异的68.6%、28.5%和71.1%可由淹水深度变化(10—80cm)解释。互花米草在80cm淹水深度下仍有较高的地上部分碳储量和总体碳储量。3种盐生植物碳储量对淹水频率变化的响应差异均不显著,所有处理地下部分碳储量差异也未达到显著水平。总体而言,互花米草对水盐胁迫的耐受性要强于本地种芦苇和海三棱藨草。尽管互花米草和芦苇具有相对较高的碳储量,但水盐胁迫对其碳储量的显著抑制作用不容忽视。海三棱藨草碳储量本就不高,输入土壤的有机碳量较为有限,海平面上升及盐水入侵等逆境胁迫会使其对盐沼\"碳汇\"贡献更加微弱。     

海拔高度对中国沙棘水碳代谢和生长的影响——以关帝山区为例

海拔是影响中国沙棘自然分布和生长的的重要环境因子,水分代谢和碳代谢的平衡是植物存活和生长的基础,研究海拔对中国沙棘的水碳代谢和生长的影响有利于全面了解中国沙棘对海拔高度的适应性及其生理机制。以山西西部关帝山地区野生中国沙棘为研究对象,测定了海拔1100—2100 m的中国沙棘雌株在6月和8月的小枝正午水势、枝条导水损失率、枝条导管直径和导管密度、光合作用、不同部位非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)浓度,同时测定了不同海拔沙棘的株高和冠幅。结果表明：随着海拔的升高,6月和8月的土壤含水量均呈增加趋势;小枝正午水势先升高后降低;枝条导水损失率在6月先降低后升高;随着海拔的升高沙棘的导管直径没有显著性变化,但导管密度、枝条最大比导水率、叶面积呈现先升高后降低的趋势。随着海拔的升高6月和8月光合速率均呈增加趋势;根和叶NSC含量没有较大幅度变化;随着海拔高度的增加中国沙棘树高和冠幅均呈现先增加后降低的趋势。以上结果表明：低海拔(1100—1300 m)和高海拔(1900—2100 m)中国沙棘生长均受到一定程度的抑制,在低海拔主要受干旱胁迫的影响,高海拔对中国沙棘的生长的抑制作用体现在低温引起的水分...     

土地利用和环境因子对表层土壤有机碳影响的尺度效应——以陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区为例

土壤表层有机碳对土地利用和环境因子的变化非常敏感,并具有尺度变异特征。研究不同尺度上表层土壤有机碳的空间分布及其与土地利用与环境因子的关系对于评价黄土丘陵沟壑区表层土壤有机碳状况具有重要意义。选择黄土丘陵沟壑区安塞集水区和集水区内典型小流域——沐浴小流域作为研究区,探讨两个尺度上,表层土壤有机碳的分布特征及其与土地利用、环境因子的关系。结果表明:(1)土地利用方式对有机碳的影响在不同尺度上差异明显,对于不同利用方式下的有机碳含量,沐浴小流域从高到低依次是荒草地林地灌木林地耕地,安塞集水区则依次为林地灌木林地耕地荒草地;(2)对于不同利用方式下的土壤有机碳密度,沐浴小流域从高到低依次是荒草地林地耕地灌木林地,安塞集水区则是林地耕地荒草地灌木林地;(3)在沐浴小流域和安塞集水区两个尺度上,坡向、坡度和植被盖度均与有机碳含量和有机碳密度正相关,而相对海拔、土地利用与有机碳密度负相关;(4)在小流域尺度上,海拔高度、坡位、土地利用与有机碳含量负相关,坡位与有机碳密度负相关,但是在集水区尺度上,相关性则与此相反。     

稳定碳同位素测定水分利用效率——以决明子为例

通过称重法和稳定碳同位素方法对盆栽决明子生长不同时期不同部位(根、茎、叶)的碳同位素组成(δ13C)、碳同位素分辨率(Δ)和水分利用效率(WUE)进行了研究,并分析了它们之间的相关关系,结果表明:决明子不同部位δ13C值表现为根茎叶,Δ为根茎叶,不同时期方差分析显示只有根部差异显著,茎叶的δ13C值、碳同位素分辨率分别与水分利用效率呈显著的正相关和负相关关系。称重法得出的WUE和不同部位(根、茎、叶)碳同位素测定的水分利用效率(WUER、WUES、WUEL)有显著正线性相关,其中与WUEL相关系数最大为0.86,与WUES、WUER的相关系数分别为0.80和0.82。说明利用稳定碳同位素方法测定决明子水分利用效率具有可行性,尤其是利用叶片测定的水分利用效率得到更为可靠的结果。     

耕地占补面积时空变化对碳储量的影响测度——以湖北省为例

基于InVEST模型定量评估湖北省2000-2020年耕地占补面积时空变化对陆地生态系统碳储量的影响,在县级行政单元尺度探究由耕地占补导致的碳储量变化量在空间上的集聚程度,并运用PLUS模型模拟区域未来四种发展情景下的土地利用格局及碳储量变化趋势。结果表明：（1）2000年至2020年,湖北省耕地面积净变化率为-3.89%,耕地面积略微下降,基本实现耕地占补数量平衡。（2）2000-2005年、2005-2010年、2010-2015年、2015-2020年耕地占用和补偿导致的碳储量变化值占该时段碳储量变化值的比例分别为68.45%、59.45%、57.86%、55.46%,二十年整体占比为61.38%。耕地碳储量的变化对陆地生态系统碳储量的影响巨大。碳固持的地块面积为1.29×10⁵ hm²,碳损失的地块面积为3.88×10⁵ hm²。（3）2000-2020年,湖北省耕地占补导致的碳储量变化值具有明显的空间集聚性,\"高高聚集\"区主要分布在西部和西南部山区,\"低低聚集\"区分布在中南部的江汉平原。（4）2020-2030年,湖北省陆地生态系统碳储量在自然发展情景下减少5.50×10⁶ t,在耕地保护情景下减少1.22×10⁶ t,在城镇开发情景下减少8.89×10⁶ t,在生态保护情景下增加2.43×10⁶ t。与其他三种情景相比,生态保护情景是未来发展的最优情景。研究通过定量评估耕地占补平衡背景下湖北省耕地面积时空变化对区域碳储量的影响为未来的国土空间规划以及增汇政策的制定提供决策依据和科学参考,对于实现土地资源的可持续利用和生态环境保护具有重要意义。     

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 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.     

Veränderungen im Phosphatgehalt des Wassers in einem Prielsystem im Wattengebiet nahe der Nordstrander Bucht (östliche Nordsee) im Verlauf einer Tide Changes in the Phosphate Content of Water in a Tidal Channel through the Wadden Sea near Nordstrander Bight (Eastern North Sea) during a Tidal Cycle

The total phosphate content of the water in a well delimited region of the Wadden Sea (26.8 km²) was determined by multiplying the concentration by the water volume during each phase of the tide. When the weather is moderate, sharp but stable gradients are observed from the shore to the open sea resulting from the remineralization processes that occur most rapidly near the shore.     

Plathelminths in tropical intertidal sediments of northeastern Australia

Assemblages of free-living interstitial plathelminths are described from the tropical coast of northeastern Australia. About one hundred species were recorded from sediments of mangroves, tidal flats, and seagrass beds. The majority (88%) of the plathelminths occurred in only one havitat. Richest in species were Kalyptorhynchia (39), followed by Acoela (17) and Typhloplanoida (16). Over 50% of the species found were represented by one to three individuals, but a few species were frequently encountered. The preferred habitat was sand with 86% of all species, while abundances were higher in muddy sediments. The mean species density was 7 in 10 cm^–2 of sediment, and abundances ranged from 8 to 52 individuals 10 cm^–2 with an average plathelminth abundance of 25 individuals 10 cm^–2. Predatory plathelminths were predominant with up to 77% of the individuals. A comparison is made to plathelminth assemblages in temperate tidal flats.     

氮输入对滨海盐沼湿地碳循环关键过程的影响及机制

滨海盐沼湿地是缓解全球变暖的有效蓝色碳汇, 但是近岸海域富营养化导致的大量氮输入对盐沼湿地稳定性和碳汇功能构成严重威胁。潮汐作用下大量氮输入对盐沼湿地植物光合碳输入、植物-土壤碳分配和土壤碳输出等碳循环关键过程产生深刻影响, 进而影响盐沼湿地碳汇功能评估的准确性。该文从植物光合固碳、植物-土壤系统碳分配、土壤有机碳分解、土壤可溶性有机碳释放、盐沼湿地土壤碳库5个方面综述了氮输入对盐沼湿地碳循环关键过程的影响。在此基础上, 针对当前研究的不足, 提出今后的研究中, 需要进一步探究氮输入对盐沼湿地植物光合固碳及碳分配过程的影响、盐沼湿地土壤有机碳分解的微生物机制、盐沼湿地土壤可溶性有机碳产生和横向流动的影响、以及氮类型对盐沼湿地土壤碳库的影响。以期为揭示氮输入对盐沼湿地碳汇形成过程与机制提供基础资料和理论依据, 为评估未来近岸海域水体富营养化影响下滨海盐沼湿地碳库的潜在变化提供新思路。     

Land reclamation as a cause of fine-grained sediment depletion in backbarrier tidal flats (Southern North Sea)

Grain size distribution patterns along the East Frisian coast (German Wadden Sea) were evafuated with the aim of identifying potential effects of man-made structures (e.g. dikes) on the textural composition and sediment budget of the area. It was found that the distribution of various grain size fractions and settling velocities revealed a well-defined cross-shore energy gradient. Adjacent to the mainland dike the sediment is dominated by the 3.0–3.5 phi sand fraction (>70% by weight). In comparison to the sedimentary sequences normally observed in unobstructed backbarrier depositional environments, the sediments along the land-ward margin are in this case conspicuously depleted in grain sizes <3.5 phi, the corresponding size fractions contributing <20% by weight. This suggests that the dike interrupts the normal energy gradient, thereby inhibiting the deposition of sediments with settling velocities <0.5 cm s⁻¹. This interpretation is confirmed when comparing individual cross-shore transects. The shorter the transect between the barrier island shore and the dike, the greater the fine sediment depletion. Since many faunal assemblages are grain-size specific, it is further suggested that the backbarrier ecosystem must have undergone significant modifications as a result of the substantial reduction in mud flats since the onset of dike construction some 1000 years BP. It is predicted that in the wake of the persisting and possibly accelerating sealevel rise this process of fine sediment depletion will continue and also affect progressively coarser sediments.     

Homing and Daytime Tidal Movements of Juvenile Snappers (Lutjanidae) between Shallow-Water Nursery Habitats in Zanzibar, Western Indian Ocean

We studied daily tidal movements of tagged juvenile Lutjanus fulviflamma and Lutjanus ehrenbergii between two adjacent habitats, a subtidal channel and shallow tidal notches in the fossil reef terrace, in a shallow marine bay on Zanzibar Island (Tanzania). Due to a large tidal range, the notches were dry at low-tide and were only accessible to the snappers at high-tide. Of the resighted individuals, 48% showed clear movement between the two habitats, orientated in a direction perpendicular to the tidal currents. Individuals resighted more than once showed site fidelity, indicating homing in both the channel and the notches. We suggest that a significant part of this population of juvenile snappers may move from a low-tide resting habitat to a high-tide resting habitat during the daytime, perhaps to avoid predation by larger predators that may enter the channel at high-tide.     

Seasonal variation of floc characteristics on tidal flats, the Scheldt estuary

The flocculation mechanism dominates the fate of suspended matter in the estuarine environment. By modifying the texture of suspended matter, flocculation is one of the principle factors determining the transport and deposition of suspended matter in estuaries. Surveys of the seasonal variation of dispersed particle and non-dispersed particle characteristics, organic matter content as well as suspended matter deposition in two contrasting intertidal environments, one freshwater and one brackish water, in the Scheldt estuary were undertaken at fortnightly intervals for a year. The study of non-dispersed particle, i.e. floc, is mainly focused on floc size, shape, and microstructure, properties presumed to be significant in the suspended matter transport processes in the estuary. In this study, floc size as well as floc sphericity correlate positively with the change of organic matter content and reveal that floc grows in a three-dimensional way with increasing organic matter. It is observed that relatively condensed, small and elongated flocs appear in winter and spring periods, while loose, large and spherical flocs occur during the summer. The study also reveals that suspended matter transported as dense flocs with size range of ca. 105–250 m have a greater effect on its short-term deposition than loose flocs with size range of ca. 250–500 m. As the measured suspended matter deposition is much higher in winter–spring than in summer, it is deduced here that highly compact and relatively dense flocs contribute to deposition during winter and spring periods resulting in a stable layer, while loosely formed flocs likely lead to an easier erodible layer during the summer. This study concludes that floc structure-related density is a more significant parameter than floc size in the suspended matter deposition processes.     

Photosynthetic activity of intertidal microphytobenthic communities during emersion: in situ measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence (PAM) and CO2 flux (IRGA)1

Photosynthetic microphytobenthic activity has increasingly been examined using pulse‐amplitude‐modulated (PAM) fluorescence techniques. Nevertheless, estimating carbon production rates from fluorescence measurements implies the establishment of reliable relationships. The aim of this study was to determine such a relationship from field measurements of both PAM fluorescence and CO₂ fluxes. Three study sites of varying sedimentary features were investigated in different seasons. Both linear and with plateau relationships were obtained between the fluorescence parameter (relative electron transport rate [rETR]) and the community‐level carbon‐fixation rate (gross community primary production rate [GCP] in mg C · m^?2 · h^?1). The correlation calculated from the whole data set (i.e., all sites and all seasons) was very strong (n = 106; r = 0.928). Significant correlations were also obtained for light‐curve parameters assessed with the two methods: P_m (n = 8; r = 0.920) and I_k (n = 8; r = 0.818). Total community‐level carbon fixation for the emersion period was calculated from fluorescence measurements according to the relationship established between GCP and rETR, and between light‐curve parameters, and the results were compared to the estimation obtained directly from GCP measurements. The agreement between the two estimations was quite good for both ways of calculation (with a mean discrepancy of 30% for the first one and ?2% for the second one). These results suggest the potential application of PAM measurements to calculate carbon‐fixation rates at large spatial and temporal scales, provided that a set of experiments coupled with CO₂‐flux measurements are performed.     

Tidal variations in suspended matter floc size in the Elbe river and Dollard estuaries

In-situ floc size measurements were made in suspended matter of the Elbe and Dollard estuaries. Floc size was found to be generally smaller in the surface water than in the bottom water and varied systematically with time in relation to the tidal phase. Maximum floc size was also related to particle concentration and, in the Dollard, probably also to flow on and off the tidal flats. Salinity and the total organic matter content of the suspended matter played a minor or no role. Since flocs break up into uniform size distributions during sampling and analysis, Coulter counter particle size was about constant during the tidal cycle. temporarily at Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands.     

Nutrient fluxes in intertidal communities of a South European lagoon (Ria Formosa) – similarities and differences with a northern Wadden Sea bay (Sylt-Rømø Bay)

During an annual cycle, flux rates of oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate and silicate were measured in light and dark bell jars at three sites in Ria Formosa (Algarve, Portugal) enclosing either a natural macrophytic community (macroalgae on sand or mud, a seagrass bed of Zostera noltii) or bare sediments. The results are compared with a preceeding study in which the same bell jar technique has been applied in the Sylt-Rømø Bay of the northern Wadden Sea. Nitrate flux was mainly directed from the water column to the benthic communities in Ria Formosa, as well as in the Sylt-Rømø Bay. However, nitrate uptake was higher in the northern, more eutrophic study area. In Ria Formosa, nutrient concentrations were lower than in the Sylt-Rømø Bay possibly due to strong water exchange with Atlantic waters. High temperatures and strong insolation had a greater impact on nitrate fluxes in Ria Formosa than in the Sylt-Rømø Bay. Bioturbating macrofauna increased ammonium efflux in the Sylt- Rømø Bay while this effect was not as pronounced in the Ria Formosa study sites. Benthic phosphate uptake dominated in the Ria Formosa and was correlated to initial phosphate concentrations in incoming waters. At both study sites, oxygen and nutrient fluxes were correlated with temperature. Additionally, flux rates were strongly influenced by biotic components and levels of eutrophication. A literature survey showed that mainly in temperate regions, material fluxes increase with temperature, whereas in warmer areas, ammonium and phosphate fluxes between sediment and water were generally lower.