METHODS OF SAMPLING THE BEhTXOS
261
about seasonal changes, but that for studies of production it will be
necessary t20 take the seasonal factor into account.
X IV. CONCLUSION
A iiumbcr of facets of benthos study have received but scant
attention in this review, which has btwi directed mainly to the
operation of gear a t sea and to such other factors as may influence
sampling methods. In particular, studies on the chemical properties o f
sediments have been largely omitted, and apart from estimation of
standing crop, no attention has been given to dynamic production
studies. In both instances techniques are still in their infancy, and it is
difficult to assess the standing of such methods as have been attempted.
Looking ahead, it is possible to discern several lines of future
advance. The most pressing problem is still the development of satisfactory quant>itative collecting methods. Here there are two possible
approaches : first the improvement of t h t grab-type of instrument, with
particular reference to increasing penetration and the perfection of
release gear for the open sea,; and second the development of a widecore sampler, like the Knudsen sampler, which will work satisfactorily
in the open sea. Further advances in semi-automatic sieving and
washing equipment are still required and, if possible, in the subsequent
sorting of the sample by flotation or other techniques. Statistics need
to be even more fully applied, whcrca collecting methods justify them,
to such problems as the degree and scale of dispersion of individuals.
Hitherto tho rather small number of benthos workers in different
countries have worked more-or-less in isolation, but a t a meeting held
in June, 1960, at Heligoland under the auspices of the International
Council for the Esploration of the Sea the ground was laid for future
exchange of ideas and mutual co-operation. A small committee was
formed to standardize terms to be used in production studies, and
attention is also to be given to such details as sediment description
and sieving procedures. It was decided that apart from these items
it was too soon to standardize procedures, which must await the
developmerit of more satisfactory sampling methods.
XV. ACKNOWLEDQMENTS
I am very grateful to the following for makiiig available, a t short
notice, the photographs with which this review is illustrated :
Dr. P. R. 0. Barnett and Mr. A. Elliott, Millport (Figs. 3, 21);
Miss U. M. Grigg (Mrs. M. L. H. Thomas) (Figs. 5, 29); Dr. L. Carter,
Mr. P. F. Bowles and Mr. A. 3’ . Milward, I.C.I. Paints Division,
Brixham (Fig. 6a); Dr. H. F. P. Herdman, National Institute of
261
about seasonal changes, but that for studies of production it will be
necessary t20 take the seasonal factor into account.
X IV. CONCLUSION
A iiumbcr of facets of benthos study have received but scant
attention in this review, which has btwi directed mainly to the
operation of gear a t sea and to such other factors as may influence
sampling methods. In particular, studies on the chemical properties o f
sediments have been largely omitted, and apart from estimation of
standing crop, no attention has been given to dynamic production
studies. In both instances techniques are still in their infancy, and it is
difficult to assess the standing of such methods as have been attempted.
Looking ahead, it is possible to discern several lines of future
advance. The most pressing problem is still the development of satisfactory quant>itative collecting methods. Here there are two possible
approaches : first the improvement of t h t grab-type of instrument, with
particular reference to increasing penetration and the perfection of
release gear for the open sea,; and second the development of a widecore sampler, like the Knudsen sampler, which will work satisfactorily
in the open sea. Further advances in semi-automatic sieving and
washing equipment are still required and, if possible, in the subsequent
sorting of the sample by flotation or other techniques. Statistics need
to be even more fully applied, whcrca collecting methods justify them,
to such problems as the degree and scale of dispersion of individuals.
Hitherto tho rather small number of benthos workers in different
countries have worked more-or-less in isolation, but a t a meeting held
in June, 1960, at Heligoland under the auspices of the International
Council for the Esploration of the Sea the ground was laid for future
exchange of ideas and mutual co-operation. A small committee was
formed to standardize terms to be used in production studies, and
attention is also to be given to such details as sediment description
and sieving procedures. It was decided that apart from these items
it was too soon to standardize procedures, which must await the
developmerit of more satisfactory sampling methods.
XV. ACKNOWLEDQMENTS
I am very grateful to the following for makiiig available, a t short
notice, the photographs with which this review is illustrated :
Dr. P. R. 0. Barnett and Mr. A. Elliott, Millport (Figs. 3, 21);
Miss U. M. Grigg (Mrs. M. L. H. Thomas) (Figs. 5, 29); Dr. L. Carter,
Mr. P. F. Bowles and Mr. A. 3’ . Milward, I.C.I. Paints Division,
Brixham (Fig. 6a); Dr. H. F. P. Herdman, National Institute of