The role of macrofauna in the functioning of a sea floor: is there any seasonal, density or functional identity effect?

Macrobenthos influences rates and intensities of benthic processes. The way in which these processes are affected depends on their densities and functional characteristics in terms of sediment reworking (bioturbation and bio-irrigation). This study focuses on the importance of three different functional groups (FG) of macrobenthos in the ecosystem processes of the Western Coastal Banks area (Belgian Part of the North Sea). Macrobenthic activity depends on temperature and food availability. Therefore two lab experiments were performed: one before sedimentation of the phytoplankton bloom (spring... Mehr ...