Utilization of food sources by invertebrates in a man-made intertidal ecosystem (Westerschelde, the Netherlands a d13C and d15 N study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Utilization of food sources by invertebrates in a man-made intertidal ecosystem (Westerschelde, the Netherlands a d13C and d15 N study

AU - Riera, P.

AU - Stal, L.J.

AU - Nieuwenhuize, J.

N1 - Reporting year: 2004 Metis note: 3307; CEME; MM; file:///L:/Endnotedatabases/NIOOPUB/pdfs/Pdfs2004/Riera_ea_3307.pdf

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - The trophic interactions between primary consumers and the organic matter sources in a man-made intertidal ecosystem were investigated. The most representative invertebrates that occupied the different habitat types tend to use similar food sources, namely benthic diatoms and suspended particulate or sedimentary organic matter, although they do so in different proportions. Fucus vesiculosus was abundant on the rocky substrate but this macroalga nor its epiphytes contributed importantly to the diet of the primary consumers inhabiting these assemblages. In contrast, benthic diatoms from the nearby mudflat were directly used as a food source because of their re-suspension in the water and transport by the tide to the artificial rocky shore. The results suggested that the trophic pathways in this intertidal environment were relatively simple.

AB - The trophic interactions between primary consumers and the organic matter sources in a man-made intertidal ecosystem were investigated. The most representative invertebrates that occupied the different habitat types tend to use similar food sources, namely benthic diatoms and suspended particulate or sedimentary organic matter, although they do so in different proportions. Fucus vesiculosus was abundant on the rocky substrate but this macroalga nor its epiphytes contributed importantly to the diet of the primary consumers inhabiting these assemblages. In contrast, benthic diatoms from the nearby mudflat were directly used as a food source because of their re-suspension in the water and transport by the tide to the artificial rocky shore. The results suggested that the trophic pathways in this intertidal environment were relatively simple.

U2 - 10.1017/S002531540400921Xh

DO - 10.1017/S002531540400921Xh

M3 - Article

SN - 0025-3154

VL - 84

SP - 323

EP - 326

JO - Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

JF - Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

IS - 2

ER -