Trophodynamic variations on microtidal North Mediterranean sandy beaches

Oceanologia

关键词: Beach environment;    Trophodynamics;    Swash zone;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Trophic models of the micro and meiobenthic community of six sandy beaches on the Ligurian coast (north-western Mediterranean Sea) have been performed to assess variations in structure and function of the ecosystem. A novel approach based on the determination of the feeding predisposition of the benthic community revealed that there is a significant shift in the trophodynamics of the system with respect to environmental constraints. Along an emerged-submerged gradient the benthic community displayed a clear trend from a fundamentally detritus-dependent structure to an autotrophic, more balanced and diversified one. The trends analysed focus on the importance of the swash zone as a transitional area between the land and the sea that is characterised by a high diversity and activity of the trophic network.

【 授权许可】

Unknown