A fast colonization of the benthic macrofauna was observed in Rammegors. The communities significantly differed between spring and autumn 2017, but did not change after autumn 2017. In spring, densities reached high values, especially for the brackish mud shrimp Manocorophium insidiosum and mosquito larvae Chironomidae. In autumn, these brackish species almost disappeared from the area. Their presence in autumn, even in low numbers, as well as the observation of the brackish cockle Cerastoderma glaucum indicate that, almost a year after the tidal restoration, parts of Rammegors are still under influence of brackish water. In spring a further decline occurred among the brackish species indicating the transition to a marine environment. Benthic macrofauna development shows a relation with elevation. An optimum of species richness was found around 0.4 m NAP with lower values at both lower and higher elevations.
A significant relation was found between elevation and the benthic macrofauna. Total density, biomass and species richness showed a significant relation along the elevation gradient with an optimum around +0.4m NAP and lower values at both lower and higher elevations. Total density significant increases with an increase in chlorophyll-a, silt content and organic matter. A significant decrease in total density and species richness was observed with increasing bulk density, indicating that more compact sediments contain less species in lower abundances. Total density, biomass and species richness increased with increasing distance from the inlet. After two years, it is unknown if the community within the Rammegors area reached stability or develops at a slow pace. Future monitoring and a comparison to a community found in a comparable natural habitat is needed to study this (Walles et al. 2019).
Referenties
- Development of the benthic macrofauna community after tidal restoration at Rammegors, Walles, B., E. Brummelhuis, J. van der Pool, T. Ysebaert, Wageningen Marine Research, april 2019.
Zie ook
- Development of the benthic macrofauna community after tidal restoration at Rammegors
- Rammegors tidal restauration, final report
- ANT Oosterschelde: Long-term trends of waders and their dependence on intertidal foraging grounds
- The conservation of eroding intertidal flats through nourishments: Ecological development on the Oesterdam tidal flat (Oosterschelde, the Netherlands)
- The Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index (BEQI), intercalibration and assessment of Dutch coastal and transitional waters for the Water Framework Directive. Final report
- Oesterdam sand nourishment - ecological and morphological development of a local sand nourishment
- Perkpolder Tidal Restauration
- Ecosystem recovery after hypoxia: what can foraminifera indicate?
- Perkpolder tidal restauration, one year after realisation, draft progress report
- The effects of biogeochemical stressors on seagrass ecosystems
