Document of dataset 5708

Dataset record

Type

Dataset

DOI

https://www.doi.org/10.14284/344

title in English

Subtidal hyperbenthos monitoring in function of a foreshore suppletion at the Belgian coast, period 2013-2016

Description in English

This dataset contain the hyperbenthic data collected in the subtidal area. The hyperbenthos contain the biota collect in the first meter of the water column, and therefore living in close contact with the bottom and are collected by means of a hyperbenthic sledge. The sampling design for the monitoring is following the BACI-design (Before After Control Impact), with a control area with similar habitat characteristics outside the influence of the suppletion activity. There is sampled before the suppletion and in the following two years after suppletion. In this BACI-monitoring, the seasonal aspect is taken into account, by taking samples in spring (March) and autumn (September). In the subtidal area, three depth strata were determined to investigated the influence of the suppletion outside the suppletion area. Stratum a (between low water line and -2m TAW) is the area were the foreshore suppletion is executed. Stratum b and c are taken respectively the depth zones -3m to -4m and -5m to -6m TAW. The amount of sampling locations was determined by the client and contains six tracks for each sampling moment. In each stratum two tracks were taken and the sampling start at the moment of high tide, starting at stratum a. The samples were taken with a hyperbenthic sledge (with increased weight) by dragging it over the bottom for 15 minutes (1000-1500meter). This was done with a constant speed and in line with the currents. The exact distance of the track was determined by calculating the distance between the start- and stop coordinate. The hyperbenthic sledge consist of a metal frame of 100*40cm, with two nets above each other (0.5m in height each). The content of both nets were kept separately. The samples were fixed by an 8% formaldehyde-seawater solution. All biota were determined and counted to species level were possible and biomass is determined by wet weight. The biomass values from the fish species present was not determined. The density and biomass values were standardized to 1000m².

Abstract in English

What ecological effects does a foreshore suppletion, and a beach suppletion, have on the marine ecosystem in the intertidal and shallow surf zone (<6 m depth)? The foreshore suppletion (400.000m³) was by means of an experimental set-up in the shallow coastal zone (-1 to -2m TAW) of Mariakerke. Beside it, a beach nourishment was conducted at Mariakerke (681243m³) and Middelkerke (968754m³). For the Mariakerke area, we collect biological and sedimentological samples in the impact area and in a control area (Bredene), before as after the suppletion, whereas for Middelkerke only the data after suppletion was part of the study. We monitor the marine ecosystem with a focus on the fauna within the sediment (macrofauna) and on the sediment (hyperbenthos, epi- and demersal fish fauna) in the intertidal zone and subtidal zone. In both studies, the subtidal area is the zone between the low water line and the 6m depth line and the intertdial area is the zone between low and high tide water line.

License

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

bibliographicCitation

Aquatic environment and quality group; Flanders research institute for agriculture, fisheries and food (ILVO), Belgium; (2018): Subtidal hyperbenthos monitoring in function of a foreshore suppletion at the Belgian coast, period 2013-2016. Marine Data Archive

Release date

Apr 16 2018 12:00AM