Small-scale burial of macroalgal detritus in marine sediments: Effects of Ulva spp. on the spatial distribution of macrofauna assemblages

摘要: Patches of dead seaweeds can deposit, bury, and age into the sediment. Decomposition release algal-derived nutrients influence patterns distribution benthic organisms. Here, I investigated how small-scale burial Ulva spp. affected spatial variation macrofauna in intertidal deliberately buried detritus under surface 50 × cm2 patches sediment three flats Oosterschelde estuary (The Netherlands). Results showed that there was no accumulation particulate organic carbon nitrogen at scales examined. The biomass microphytobenthos did not show any change evidence grazing important all over study area. Burial alter composition diversity macrofauna, but some animals (Corophium volutator, Eteone Scoloplos armiger) had less numbers plots where than controls. These findings macroalgal does represent a major source It is suggested these sediments, recycling fast it buffers effects excess matter system. [KEYWORDS: ; Detritus Intertidal Macroalgae Macrofauna oosterschelde basin; Ulva]