IR Home
MEPS
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Subscribe
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
ESEP Books
Order
EEIU Brochures
(pdf format)
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
Endangered Species Programs
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
 | |
MEPS 224:157-170 (2001)
|
Abstract
|
Migration of the bivalve Macoma balthica on a highly dynamic tidal flat in the Westerschelde estuary, The Netherlands
H. Bouma1,*, P. P. de Vries2, J. M .C. Duiker3, P. M. J. Herman2, W. J. Wolff1
1Department of Marine Biology, Groningen University (RUG), PO Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands
2Department of Ecosystem Studies, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO), PO Box 140, 4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands
3Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University (UU), PO Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
*Present address: National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, PO Box 8039, 4330 EA Middelburg, Netherlands. E-mail: h.bouma@rikz.rws.minvenw.nl
ABSTRACT: Population dynamics of the tellinid clam Macoma balthica (L.) were studied at a highly dynamic intertidal sandflat in the Westerschelde estuary, south-western Netherlands. In order to study temporal development of density and population
structure (12 size classes from 0.3 to 20 mm), 3 point sampling stations were sampled fortnightly from March 1997 to March 1998. Within the same period, spatial population dynamics was studied seasonally on a spatial grid (700 x
800 m, 43 plots, distance between the plots 100 m), which covered a range in bedlevel height from -50 to +140 cm relative to mean tide level. Quantitative estimations of early recruitment, growth, and survival plus migration were calculated from the
temporal and spatial population data. Early recruitment was highest at the higher tidal levels, where the sediment contained the smallest sand grains. In that same area, the highest disappearance of the juvenile M. balthica, caused by emigration
and/or mortality, was observed. In the lower intertidal area, where the sediment contained larger sand grains, the number of recruits in the successive classes increased after Size Class 2 to 3 mm. Based on further analysis of the population data, this
increase in the number of recruits is concluded to have been mainly caused by immigration of M. balthica to the lower tidal levels. Since there seemed to be no important immigration into the entire spatial grid population, the migration may have
been directed from the higher intertidal levels towards the lower. The strong initial early-recruitment pattern, supposed to be comprised of passive processes, became weaker for the successive size classes after Size Class 2 to 3 mm, which resulted in a
spatial distribution of Size Class 7 to 8 mm that was neither related to bedlevel height nor to sand grain size. Therefore, active migration processes are suggested to have been of higher importance than passive migration processes.
KEY WORDS: Passive resuspension · Active migration · Secondary settlement · Passive deposition · Habitat selectivity
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
224
(2001) on December 18
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2001
|
