Report: Macrozoobenthos: Variations of dynamics depending on sea and currents (1990)»

Studies of cotton fauna have shown clear links between biotope zoning and abiotic site characteristics such as sediments. Similarly, it is now known that abiotic site characteristics of wadden areas such as altitude and surface sediment are hydrodynamically determined. In addition, long-term monitoring of Benthos populations at fixed appointment stations has shown that singular hydrodynamic effects – temporarily – can act in the sense of ecological disasters. Therefore, it is obvious to investigate relationships between hydrodynamic influences, in particular the energy-rich sea and flow processes and the dynamics in the populations of the macrozoobenthos. The reason for this is not only fundamental scientific interest, but above all the fact that macrozoobenthos populations are to be regarded as an indicator of the stress status of coastal waters. Due to a corresponding approval of the NEEDERSÄCHSISCHEN MINISTERIUM für WissenschaftSCHAFT und KUNST, an interdisciplinary project was launched on 1 May 1990. In accordance with the conditions of the authorisation, this interim report will be given on the results of the investigation to date and to derive prospects for the intended second phase of the project. [...] The study area is the island watt of Norderney. [...]’