Publication Date:
2016-11-18
Description:
Loss of macrofaunal bioturbation and bioirrigation activity may strongly reduce benthic
biogeochemical cycling and thus ecosystem functioning. The identification of bioturbating
key species in the marine benthic realm is therefore of high importance for ecosystem
management purposes. In this study top bioturbators in the German Bight were identified by
mapping the trait based bioturbation potential (BPc) for 423 North Sea stations. BPc mapping
highlighted the importance of Amphiura filiformis, Echinocardium cordatum and Nucula
nitidosa as major bioturbating species in the German Bight. Effects of their bioturbation and
bioirrigation activity on silicate, ammonium and nitrate flux were investigated in laboratory
experiments. While E. cordatum significantly influenced biogeochemical cycling, effects of
A. filiformis remained inconclusive probably due to arm regeneration. N. nitidosa showed
little impact on biogeochemical cycling, although the bivalve was found to be an important
bioturbator. E. cordatum may thus be considered an essential mediator of biogeochemical
cycling in the sediment water interface as well as one of the most important bioturbators in
the German Bight.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Conference
,
notRev
