Table 4 Habitat characteristics at the coast, the Oysterground and the Duck’s Bill

TOC (sediment)

High

Moderate

Low

Kröncke et al. (2004), Reiss and Kröncke (2005), Stöck and Kröncke (2001)

Chl a (sediment)

High

Moderate

Moderate to high

Kröncke et al. (2004), Reiss and Kröncke (2005), Boon and Duineveld (1998), Stöck et al. (2002)

Mud content

High

Low to moderate

Low

Kröncke et al. (2004), Reiss and Kröncke (2005), Stöck et al. (2002)

Sedimentation rate

High

Moderate

Low

Kröncke et al. (2004), Stöck et al. (2002)

Tidal stress

High

Moderate

Low

Becker et al. (1992), Dippner (1993)

Summer bottom temperature

High

Moderate

Low

Neumann et al. (2009), Ehrich et al. (2007)

Winter bottom temperature

Low

Moderate

High

Neumann et al. (2009), Ehrich et al. (2007)

Salinity

Low

Moderate

High

Becker et al. (1992), Ehrich et al. (2007)

Length of thermal stratification

Low

Moderate

High

Neumann et al. (2009), Becker et al. (1992);

Residual currents

Low

Moderate to high

Moderate to high

Becker et al. (1992)