Western part of the Dutch Wadden Sea

Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance

Benthos samplers; sediment dredges

In the Wadden Sea, a relatively small number of bivalve species represent the majority of the biomass. This group of filter feeders is represented by Blue mussels, Cockles, Soft-shelled clams, Baltic Tellins, Pacific oysters and Razorshell clams. During the past few decades, the occurrence and distribution of these species seem to change. Mussel production decreases and densities of Baltic tellins are in decline, while the biomass of the Pacific oyster and the Razorshell clam seems to increase. These developments are important for the modelling of the carrying capacity of the Wadden Sea ecosystem. Besides their ecological importance, some species are also of economic importance, for example mussels. This creates an area of tension in policy making. Also for policy making it is of importance to monitor the developments of these species in the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea is internationally renowned for the large number of birds depending on this area for their survival and reproduction, and the Dutch government has committed itself to their protection via many national and international treaties. In order to manage this protected area, it is important to know what factors are determining the carrying capacity for birds. The benthic food resources play an eminent role.

Wageningen Marine Research (Yerseke)
Korringaweg 5
Yerseke

4401 NT
Netherlands