Comparative study of the hyperbenthos of three European estuaries

The hyperbenthic fauna of the subtidal channels of the Eems (N. Netherlands), Westerschelde (S.W. Netherlands), and Gironde (S.W. France) estuaries was sampled within a 15-day period in summer 1991. In each estuary, quantitative samples were taken at regularly spaced stations covering the entire salinity gradient from marine conditions at the mouth to nearly freshwater conditions upstream. The diversity of the samples and the distribution of the species along the main estuarine gradients were assessed. Hyperbenthic communities were identified using different multivariate statistical techniques. The species composition and the density and biomass of the dominant species of each community were compared among communities.