Macrofauna communities of the Dogger Bank (central North Sea) in the late 1990s: spatial distribution,species composition and trophic structure |
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Authors: | Gunther?Wieking Email author" target="_blank">Ingrid?Kr?nckeEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Marine Research, Senckenberg Institute, Schleusenstrasse 39a, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany, |
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Abstract: | Macrofauna samples were taken in May 1996–1998 at 28 stations on the Dogger Bank (central North Sea) to describe species composition,
spatial distribution and trophic structure of the macrofaunal communities. In general, five communities could be distinguished
depending on the influence of different water masses, depth, type of sediment and food availability. Except for those species
which feed in the sediment, macrofauna communities did not show any correlation to the measured sediment variables. In fact,
macrofauna communities of the Dogger Bank were mainly structured by lateral food supply via frontal systems. This was indicated
by the dominance of interface feeders foraging in the benthic boundary layer, which are able to switch from surface deposit
to suspension feeding depending on flow conditions. The importance of sandlickers in the shallowest parts of the Dogger Bank
hints at an important contribution of benthic primary production to the nutritional and energetic needs of the benthic community.
Electronic Publication |
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Keywords: | Macrofauna communities Benthos Trophic structure Total organic carbon (TOC) North Sea Dogger Bank |
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