Document of dataset 5180

Dataset record

Type

Dataset

DOI

https://www.doi.org/10.14284/144

title in English

Meiobenthos of 5 mangrove vegetation types at Gazi Bay (Kenya) in August 1989

Description in English

Vertical distribution patterns of meiobenthos and their relation to the different mangrove vegetations Avicennia, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Rhizophora and Sonneratia have been examined. The vertical distribution pattern in the sediment (to a depth of 20 cm) of density and biomass of the meiofauna, and abiotic factors such as sediment granulometry, nutrients, organic matter were used to explain the observed distribution patterns. A total of 17 taxa has been observed and high densities were encountered: Bruguiera (6707 ind/10 cm2 ), followed by Rhizophora (3998 ind/10cm2 ), Avicennia (3442 ind/10cm2 ), Sonneratia (2889 ind/10cm2 ) and Ceriops (1976 ind/10cm2 ). Nematodes dominated; the remainder was made of copepods, tubellarians, oligochaetes, polychaetes and rotifers. Other taxa were only sporadically observed, partially governed by the sediment. The data indicate high densities still occur at greater depth: 54 ind. At Avicennia 15-20 cm; 759 ind. At Bruguiera 10-15 cm; 380 ind. At Ceriops 15-22.5 cm; 37 ind. At Rhizophora 15-17 cm and 13 ind. At Sonneratia +15 cm. Particle size measurements performed for the five stations show medium sand. The mud levels reached often considerable amounts (up to 8%). Both Kjeldahl-N and total organic matter are generally more concentrated with depth. The nutrient concentrations in the depth intervals, as well as the compared sediments, show great variability. Nematode length increases with increasing depth, although important differences between the stations were observed. Length and density are invertedly related. The data of total biomass differ considerable from one station to another: Ceriops (9.10 -5g) and Sonneratia (19.10 -5g). Besides granulometry, oxygen is the most important factor influencing composition and distribution of the meiofauna.

Abstract in English

Vertical distribution data of meiobenthos at Avicennia, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Rhizophora and Sonneratia and abiotic factors of the sediment sampled on the 7th of August 1989 in Gazi Bay (Kenya). The data were digitized by VLIZ from the original report: Vanhove, S. (1990). Studie van de benthische meiofauna van vijf mangrove-vegetatietypes van Gazi Bay (Kenia)= Study of the meiobenthos of 5 mangrove vegetation types in Gazi Bay, Kenya. MSc Thesis. University of Gent: Faculty of Sciences: Gent. IX, 146, deel 2 tabellen en figuren pp.

License

https://spdx.org/licenses/CC-BY-4.0.html

bibliographicCitation

Vanhove S.; Coomans A.; Vakgroep Biologie; Faculteit Wetenschappen. Ugent: Belgium; (2016): Meiobenthos of 5 mangrove vegetation types at Gazi Bay (Kenya) in August 1989. (http://www.vliz.be/en/imis?module=dataset&dasid=5180)

Release date

Jan 13 2017 12:00AM