Skip to main content
Download PDF
  • Tidal Ecosystems
  • Published:

A large indoor tidal mud-flat ecosystem

Helgoländer wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen volume 30, pages 334–342 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

This paper presents a technical description and some preliminary results of a relatively large experimental tidal mud-flat ecosystem, constructed in parallel set-ups in the experimental aquarium of the Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek der Zee (NIOZ). The system was build in 1975, filled with sea-water and natural sediment from a typicalArenicola marina habitat. After introducing micro-phytobenthos and juvenileA. marina, the development in both systems, without correcting interventions, were followed for about two years. Studies on nutrient concentrations and organic matter, primary productivity, fluctuations in biomass, density of secondary producers and activity of micro-organisms reveal the systems to be self-pertaining and fairly stable. The study of assemblages of hardy inhabitants of the stressful intertidal environment seems to be a promising starting point for further micro-system research.

Literature Cited

  • Baumfalk, Y. A., 1977. Heterogeneous grainsize distribution produced by bioturbation activity of the European lugwormArenicola marina. L. Int. Rep. N.I.O.Z., 1–15 (mimeogr.).

  • Becht, H. Y., 1977. De warmtehuishouding van een waddengebied. Int. Rep. N.I.O.Z., 1–120 (mimeogr.).

  • Blok, J. W. de, 1975. The Texel aquarium. Neth. J. Sea Res.9, 231–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J., 1976. The possibilities of a new kind of micro-ecosystem in the aquatic ecosystem research. Hydrobiol. Bull.10, 17–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straaten, L. M. J. U. van, 1952. Biogene textures and the formation of shell beds in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet. (B)55, 500–516.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taub, F. B., 1974. Closed ecological systems. R. A. Rev. Ecol. Syst.5, 139–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vosjan, J. H. & Olanczuk-Neyman, K. M., 1977. Vertical distribution of mineralization. Neth. J. Sea Res.11, 14–23.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands

    P. A. W. J. de Wilde & B. R. Kuipers

Authors
  1. P. A. W. J. de Wilde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. R. Kuipers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

de Wilde, P.A.W.J., Kuipers, B.R. A large indoor tidal mud-flat ecosystem. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 30, 334–342 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207845

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207845

Keywords

Helgoland Marine Research

ISSN: 1438-3888

Contact us