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Pelagic-benthic energy coupling at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy
Emerson, C.W.; Roff, J.C.; Wildish, D.J. (1986). Pelagic-benthic energy coupling at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, in: Muus, K. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 20th European Marine Biology Symposium: Nutrient Cycling. Processes in Marine Sediments, Hirtshals, Denmark, 9-13 September 1985. Ophelia: International Journal of Marine Biology, 26: pp. 165-180
In: Muus, K. (Ed.) (1986). Proceedings of the 20th European Marine Biology Symposium: Nutrient Cycling. Processes in Marine Sediments, Hirtshals, Denmark, 9-13 September 1985. European Marine Biology Symposia, 20. Ophelia: International Journal of Marine Biology, 26. ISBN 87-981066-4-3. 477 pp., more
In: European Marine Biology Symposia., more
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Emerson, C.W.
  • Roff, J.C., more
  • Wildish, D.J.
Abstract
    From independent estimates of pelagic and benthic production in the southwestern mouth of the Bay of Fundy, we have estimated the relative importance of various links in the trophic web. Primary production in the area is approximately 6650 KJ. m-2 .yr-1. The <20 µm size fraction of the algal standing crop comprises >60% of the total on average. Sedimentation data indicate that, on average, 30% of the chlorophyll-a biomass sinks out of the euphotic zone unutilized by secondary producers. The major components of annual sedimentation are composed of algal cells and fecal pellets. Fifty percent of algal flux is composed of cells < 20 µm diameter. Meso- and macrozooplankton production at this location is 800 KJ.m-2.yr-1, indicating a production efficiency between the primary and 'secondary' trophic levels of 12 %. Estimates of grazing rates suggest that the phytoplankton crop is insufficient to meet zooplankton daily requirements. Macrobenthic production is 134 KJ. m-2 .yr-1 indicating that the macrobenthos is not efficient at converting sedimenting carbon, which is >3000 KJ .m-2 .yr-1, into production. Demersal fisheries production is consequently low (21 KJ.m-2.yr-1). In contrast, pelagic fish production is five times greater. The production efficiency between zooplankton and pelagic fish is 13.4 %. We conclude that most secondary production at the southwestern mouth of the Bay of Fundy is realized within the water column and is thus available trophically to a predominantly pelagic fishery.
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