ABSTRACT: Responses of meiofauna, bacteria and microalgae to the exclusion of greater flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber were measured intertidally and subtidally at Walvis Bay and intertidally at Sandwich Harbour on the Namibian coast. Sediment properties were also measured. Meiofauna showed little response at any of the sites. Bacteria decreased in exclosures relative to controls at all sites, but significantly so only at 1 of them. Chlorophyll levels increased at both Walvis Bay sites, but did not respond at Sandwich Harbour, where there was considerably less disturbance by flamingos. Organic content and redox potential of sediments were affected, but the response varied between sites. Overall, disturbance effects were uncertain and inconsistent.

KEY WORDS: Flamingos · Disturbance · Chlorophyll · Bacteria · Meiofauna

Published in MEPS Vol. 150 (1997) on April 30
ISSN: 0171-8630. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1997