Mariene kustorganismen als bio-indicatoren van klimaatsveranderingen in de zuidelijke Noordzee
Rappé, G. (2003). Mariene kustorganismen als bio-indicatoren van klimaatsveranderingen in de zuidelijke Noordzee. Levende Nat. 104(3): 94-98 In: De Levende Natuur: tijdschrift voor Natuurbehoud en Natuurbeheer. Stichting De Levende Natuur: Oosterbeek; Amsterdam; 's-Graveland. ISSN 0024-1520, more |
| Keywords | Aquatic organisms > Marine organisms
Climatic changes
Population factors
Crustacea [WoRMS]; Decapoda [WoRMS]; Mollusca [WoRMS]
ANE, Belgium, Belgian Coast [Marine Regions]; ANE, North Sea, Southern Bight [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract | During the last two decades some remarkable observations on marine coastal organisms of Belgium (Southern Bight, North Sea) are presented, mostly from the (second half of the) nineties. Examples are given from autochthonous crabs and shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda), molluscs (Mollusca) and aliens. Populations fluctuate following severe or mild weather conditions, disappearing after harsh winters and coming back more rapidly then in the past. Some offshore species are stranded or wrecked more often. Species new to the area, including aliens, turn up and establish. These observations are believed to be mainly triggered by changes in the oceanographic/climatic conditions, luring or forcing southern species into the southern North Sea and the coastal waters. The marine fauna and flora of the English Channel is acting as a waiting or retreating room, from which establishment or rapid recovery can take place. Aliens profit from the hydrological changes and from the intensive ships traffic (fouling, ballast) to settle in the warmer and sheltered marinas, harbours, sea-inlets and on buoys in nearshore waters. These artificial habitats can act as 'stepping stones' for a further spread in the area. |
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