The macrozoobenthos of the subtidal western dutch wadden sea. I. Biomass and species richness

Abstract

During a one-year period in 1981–1982, a survey was conducted on the macrozoobenthos of the subtidal areas of the western half of the Dutch Wadden Sea. In total 80 species were found, half of them polychaetes. In terms of biomass, Mytilus edulis dominated the macrozoobenthos, with Hydrobia ulvae, Heteromastus filiformis, Carcinus maenas and Macoma balthica as other important species. Numerically important were also the polychaetes Pygospio elegans and Scoloplos armiger. Average macrozoobenthic biomass amounted to 43.7 g·m −2 ash-free dryweight. This value is in the same range as values from intertidal areas in the Wadden Sea. The relatively high value in comparison with data from similar subtidal areas is attributed to the important mussel culture in the area.