Seasonal changes of macrofauna in the Gulf of Gdańsk

Abstract

Samples of macrofauna were taken with an 0.1 m2 van Veen grab at a 35 m deep muddy bottom in the Gulf of Gdańsk. Based on data collected 18 times between February 1987 and January 1988, species composition, abundance, biomass, production, and size structure were analysed. The macrofauna community was dominated by Macoma balthica which contributed about 98% of total biomass (dry weight) . The highest abundance (maximum of 3509 ind./m2 occurred in autumn, whereas the biomass was rather stable throughout the year (mean of 259 g wet weight/m2).