Abstract
The populations and production of the macroinvertebrates of a Spartina anglica salt-marsh in eastern England were studied over two years. A total of fifteen species were recorded in the sediments, of which twelve species were of regular occurrence, and the total population density recorded ranged from 3,481 m-2 to 11,444m-2 over the twenty-four sampling occasions.The four most abundant species were Nereis diversicolor, Tubifex costatus, Corophium volutator and Hydrobia ulvae. Thirteen further taxa were associated with the canopy of Spartina, with a total population density ranging from 0 to 1,149 m-2. Total monthly standing crop ranged from 1.8 to 8.5 g C m-2 with peaks in July/August in both years. Nereis diversicolor contributed 55% to 86% of total biomass in each month. Production and respiration for each species was determined and annual assimilation calculated. The total annual production was ∼16 g C m-2 a-1 in both 1979 and 1980, with a corresponding assimilation of ∼60 g C m-2 a-1Nereis diversicolar accounted for >80% of production and assimilation in both years, and the species is clearly of considerable potential importance in the dissipation of Spartina material. The canopy dwelling species accounted for about 1% of the total annual production and assimilation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 406-411 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Oecologia |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1985 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics