Synpotic Intertidal Benthic Surveys Across the Dutch Wadden Sea : 2008 to 2011 (original) (raw)

The sensitivity analysis in this study showed that our statistical approach has the power to detect changes in macrobenthos abundance. The results from our approach highlighted that total biomass differed, and tended to be lower, in Zuidwal and Groningen, the two areas where production has taken place the longest. In total ten of 76 species showed differences in the IN areas, and most differences tended to be positive. Interestingly, most differences in species abundance were observed at Zuidwal; an area of long-term drilling. Continuation of the SIBES monitoring is a cost-effective way to monitor possible effects of gas production, and subsidence, related changes on the core driver of the Wadden Sea food web, i.e. the macrobenthos of the Wadden Sea. Photo 1. The NIOZ research vessel Navicula is used as a base for the SIBES sampling campaign in the summer months.