CHANGES IN SUBLITTORAL ZOOBENTHOS IN THE GERMAN BIGHT WITH REGARD TO EUTROPHICATION

Comparisons of benthic macrofauna biomass data from early and recent investigations indicate overall increases. These findings are supported by long-term density trends in macrozoobenthos populations from different areas of the German Bight. Examples are given which show that deep-dwelling and long-lived species derive less benefit from changing conditions than animals which 1. live near the sediment surface, 1. have an adaptive feeding behaviour, and 3. grow and reproduce quickly. Thus, the observed changes are reflected in the dominance structure of the benthic fauna. These changes are interpreted as being influenced and driven by increased eutrophication. © 1990.