Utilization of food sources by invertebrates in a man-made intertidal ecosystem (Westerschelde, the Netherlands a d13C and d15 N study

The trophic interactions between primary consumers and the organic matter sources in a man-made intertidal ecosystem were investigated. The most representative invertebrates that occupied the different habitat types tend to use similar food sources, namely benthic diatoms and suspended particulate or sedimentary organic matter, although they do so in different proportions. Fucus vesiculosus was abundant on the rocky substrate but this macroalga nor its epiphytes contributed importantly to the diet of the primary consumers inhabiting these assemblages. In contrast, benthic diatoms from the near... Mehr ...