Journal article
Carbon and nitrogen exchange between sandy beach clams (Donax serra) and kelp beds in the Benguela coastal upwelling region
Marine Biology, Vol.127(4), pp.657-664
1997
Abstract
Carbon consumption and nitrogen requirements were estimated for populations of the sandy beach bivalve Donax serra on nine beaches of the west coast of South Africa. Subtidal populations composed mainly of adult clams were responsible for the bulk of standing stock (3538 g Cm-1), annual carbon consumption (13444 g Cm-1 yr-1), faeces production (6478 g C m-1 yr-1) and nitrogen regeneration (2525 g N m-1 yr-1). Kelp detritus, bacteria and kelp consumers' faeces available in the water column surpass several times the carbon and nitrogen requirements of intertidal and subtidal clam populations. Individual Donax serra populations, in turn, may regenerate up to 3.2% of the total nitrogen requirements of all primary producers from kelp beds and 14% of the requirements of phytoplankton. These high standing stocks of clams are presumably supported mainly by organic matter originating from kelp which, in contrast to phytoplankton, is in constant supply and comprises the largest proportion of the annual production of particulate organic matter on this coast. Wide and shallow continental shelves with gentle slopes probably limit the penetration of upwelled waters to the nearshore waters, decreasing the influence of external inputs and increasing the importance of internal flows of nutrients and carbon within the nearshore zone. In this context, sandy beaches, rocky shores and kelp beds may be more closely interlinked compartments of a larger ecosystem encompassing the whole nearshore than traditionally thought.
Details
- Title
- Carbon and nitrogen exchange between sandy beach clams (Donax serra) and kelp beds in the Benguela coastal upwelling region
- Authors
- A G Soares (Author) - University of Port Elizabeth, South AfricaThomas Schlacher (Author) - University of Port Elizabeth, South AfricaA McLachlan (Author) - University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Publication details
- Marine Biology, Vol.127(4), pp.657-664
- Publisher
- Springer
- Date published
- 1997
- DOI
- 10.1007/s002270050056
- ISSN
- 0025-3162
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449460702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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