On the ecophysiology of the sponge Halichondria panicea in Kiel Bight. II. Biomass, production, energy budget and integration in environmental processes

Abstract

The role of the sponge Halichondrja panicea was analyzed in the red algal zone of the Western Baltic. Data on biomass changes in a field population of H. panicea at Boknis Eck at the entrance of Eckernforde Bight agree well with observations from cage growth experiments (Barthel 1986); this indicates that the population suffers only negligible mortality through predators. Biomass data are combined with results on respiration rates (Barthel & Theede 1986) to yield information on energy demand of this species. Using field data on water temperature and sediment structure in Kiel Bight estimates are made of total biomass and nutrient release by H. panicea in k e l Bight. Field observations on the life cycle and relations to other animal species are discussed.