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European intertidal marshes: a review of their habitat functioning and value for aquatic organisms
Cattrijsse, A.; Hampel, H. (2006). European intertidal marshes: a review of their habitat functioning and value for aquatic organisms. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 324: 293-307. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps324293
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 112856 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Aquatic communities > Nekton
    Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment > Intertidal environment
    Habitat
    Nursery grounds
    Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Tidal flats
    Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
    Water bodies > Inland waters > Wetlands > Marshes > Salt marshes
    ANE, Europe [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal; Brackish water
Author keywords
    European tidal marsh; estuarine systems; nekton; habitat functioning
Authors  Top 
  • Cattrijsse, A.
  • Hampel, H.
Abstract
    Salt marshes form true ecotones between land and sea fauna and flora that have adapted to an environment that is both aquatic and terrestrial in nature. Despite the extreme and sharp gradients that exist in salt marshes, they form the temporary or permanent home for many animals and plants and they fulfil many important roles in marine and estuarine ecosystems. While research on the terrestrial component of European marshes has helped in their management, knowledge of the aquatic component has largely been ignored in safeguarding the existence and ecological importance of tidal marshes. This situation is in sharp contrast with studies of coastal marshes along the eastern and southeastern coasts of North America. The typical European salt marsh differs in several physical aspects from the typical American salt marsh, but recent investigations have indicated parallels regarding nekton habitat usage. The present paper reviews the current state of European studies on the habitat role that tidal marshes play for fish and crustacean fauna. Mirrored against the more extensive American literature, we discuss where functional similarities and differences exist between both types of tidal marshes and where further knowledge is still needed for European marshes. Management of European tidal marshes would benefit from extending the current knowledge, and this paper identifies potential topics of interest.
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