Kelp Wrack and the Flow of Energy through a Sandy Beach Ecosystem

摘要: One of the most distinctive and frequently cited features exposed sandy beaches as ecosystems is their almost complete lack in situ primary production (e.g. Brown, 1964; Munro et al., 1978; McLachlan 1981a). This results directly from mobility sediments, which renders them unsuitable for attachment macrophytes or development dense benthic diatom communities. In absence these potential food resources macrofaunal organisms on must obtain nutrition imported materials. These may take form finely divided detritus phytoplankton particles, many originate rich blooms surf zone (McLachlan 1981b), large items carrion. The macro-fauna associated with normally comprises two major trophic elements, namely filter feeders, including bivalves (such Donax) crustacea Emenita Gastnosaccub); predator/scavengers Bullia, Ocypode,various isopods polychaetes). proportion elements differs widely, depending relative availability plankton versus carrion 1981a), but feeding are overwhelming dominants terms biomass 1981b).