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Changes in structural and functional diversity of nematode communities during a spring phytoplankton bloom in the southern North Sea
Vanaverbeke, J.; Steyaert, M.; Soetaert, K.; Rousseau, V.; Van Gansbeke, D.; Parent, J.-Y.; Vincx, M. (2004). Changes in structural and functional diversity of nematode communities during a spring phytoplankton bloom in the southern North Sea. J. Sea Res. 52(4): 281-292. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2004.02.004
In: Journal of Sea Research. Elsevier/Netherlands Institute for Sea Research: Amsterdam; Den Burg. ISSN 1385-1101; e-ISSN 1873-1414
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 129588 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Algal blooms
    ANE, North Sea, Southern Bight
    Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
    Composition > Community composition
    Environments > Aquatic environment > Benthic environment
    Environments > Aquatic environment > Pelagic environment
    Species diversity
    Nematoda [WoRMS]
    Belgian Continental Shelf (BCS) [Marine Regions]; Southern Bight [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    nematodes; benthic-pelagic coupling; functional and structural diversity; North Sea
Authors  Top 
  • Vanaverbeke, J.
  • Steyaert, M.
  • Soetaert, K.
  • Rousseau, V.
  • Van Gansbeke, D.
  • Parent, J.-Y.
  • Vincx, M.
Abstract
    The response of nematode communities to the sedimentation of a spring phytoplankton bloom in a sandy, well-oxygenated sediment at a single station (station 330) in the Southern North Sea was investigated monthly from early March to July 1999. Both structural (nematode density, diversity, vertical distribution and community composition) and functional (feeding type distributions, number of species within feeding groups) characteristics showed considerable changes shortly after the arrival of fresh organic material at the sediment surface. The general increase in numerical densities and diversity was related to changes within the groups of selective deposit-feeding and epistrate-feeding nematodes. It is hypothesised that sedimentation and subsequent remineralisation of fresh organic matter during the spring phytoplankton bloom result in an increase of suitable food items (both living and dead). This, combined with the availability of oxygen, creates conditions in which many nematode species can co-exist.
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