Problems in meiofauna energy-flow studies
Herman, P.M.J.; Vranken, G.; Heip, C.H.R. (1988). Problems in meiofauna energy-flow studies, in: Heip, C.H.R. et al. Collected papers on meiofauna dynamics and energy flow. pp. 1-8 In: Heip, C.H.R. et al. (Ed.) (1988). Collected papers on meiofauna dynamics and energy flow. Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research: Yerseke. , more Related to:Herman, P.M.J.; Vranken, G.; Heip, C.H.R. (1984). Problems in meiofauna energy-flow studies, in: Heip, C.H.R. (Ed.) Biology of Meiofauna. Proceedings of the Fifth International Meiofauna Conference, held in Ghent, Belgium 16-20 August 1983. Developments in Hydrobiology, 26: pp. 21-28, more |
| Keywords | Aquatic communities > Benthos > Meiobenthos
Energy flow
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top | - Herman, P.M.J., more
- Vranken, G.
- Heip, C.H.R., more
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| Abstract | The direct estimation of energy flow through marine meiobenthic populations poses several difficulties, mainly relating to sampling problems. The usefulness of some indirect estimation methods is discussed. Direct production estimates and respiration measurements for three brackish water crustacean populations are given, indicating a relative constant proportion between population production and respiration.The production: assimilation ratio for these populations fluctuates between 0.3 and 0.4. This is contrasted to literature data revealing much higher production: assimilation ratios as determined in the laboratory for nematode populations. Using data on laboratory cultures of the nematode Monhystera disjuncta some factors that can possibly generate this discrepancy are discussed. An analysis of P:B in different life stages of this population justifies the use of a life-cycle turnover of about 3 for meiobenthic populations, provided some conditions are met. Among these is that no drastic change in productivity occurs between juveniles and adults, and that the biomass of hatchlings, not of freshly laid eggs, is considered as generative production. |
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