A large indoor tidal mud-flat ecosystem

Abstract

This paper presents a technical description and some preliminary results of a relatively large experimental tidal mud-flat ecosystem, constructed in parallel set-ups in the experimental aquarium of the Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee (NIOZ). The system was build in 1975, filled with sea-water and natural sediment from a typical Arenicola marina habitat. After introducing micro-phytobenthos and juvenile A. marina, the development in both systems, without correcting interventions, were followed for about two years. Studies on nutrient concentrations and organic matter, primary productivity, fluctuations in biomass, density of secondary producers and activity of micro-organisms reveal the systems to be self-pertaining and fairly stable. The study of assemblages of hardy inhabitants of the stressful intertidal environment seems to be a promising starting point for further micro-system research. © 1977 Biologische Anstalt Helgoland.