238
Algarve
Atlantic Ocean
8°W
37°N
M. Sprung et al.
Fig.Il.l. Location of
the two tidal basins
examined; intertidal
areas are shaded
Expressed in ecological terms, macrofauna abundance is not only shaped by
bottom-up processes, but by top-down events as well (Reise 1985; Forman et
al. 1995).
In this chapter, we attempt to synthesize the knowledge gained during
recent years on the energy flow in benthic communities at two intertidal sites,
the Ria Formosa lagoon and the Sylt-R0m0 Bay (Fig. 11.1). The Ria Formosa
lagoon is situated on the Algarve coast (Southern Portugal). Except during
heavy rainfall, particularly in winter, it receives no significant freshwater
input. It exchanges its water with the Atlantic Ocean by six major inlets. The
Sylt -R0m0 Bay forms part of the northern Wadden Sea at the German-Danish
border. Water exchange is by one large inlet with the comparably shallow
North Sea whose water is significantly diluted by riverine input at this site. As
Algarve
Atlantic Ocean
8°W
37°N
M. Sprung et al.
Fig.Il.l. Location of
the two tidal basins
examined; intertidal
areas are shaded
Expressed in ecological terms, macrofauna abundance is not only shaped by
bottom-up processes, but by top-down events as well (Reise 1985; Forman et
al. 1995).
In this chapter, we attempt to synthesize the knowledge gained during
recent years on the energy flow in benthic communities at two intertidal sites,
the Ria Formosa lagoon and the Sylt-R0m0 Bay (Fig. 11.1). The Ria Formosa
lagoon is situated on the Algarve coast (Southern Portugal). Except during
heavy rainfall, particularly in winter, it receives no significant freshwater
input. It exchanges its water with the Atlantic Ocean by six major inlets. The
Sylt -R0m0 Bay forms part of the northern Wadden Sea at the German-Danish
border. Water exchange is by one large inlet with the comparably shallow
North Sea whose water is significantly diluted by riverine input at this site. As