. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. 242 REPORTS FROM THE MBL GENERAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS depletion is caused by an imbalance between respiration and photosynthesis during periods of low irradiance. Childs River, in particular, has more frequent anoxic events than other Wa- qiaoit Bay estuaries (4). possibly accounting for the lower densities of invertebrates in this estuary. Salinity was 25-30%o near the bottom at all sites, suggesting that this variable was not a sig- nificant factor. Differential predation. sediment composition, and depth may also influence
. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. 242 REPORTS FROM THE MBL GENERAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS depletion is caused by an imbalance between respiration and photosynthesis during periods of low irradiance. Childs River, in particular, has more frequent anoxic events than other Wa- qiaoit Bay estuaries (4). possibly accounting for the lower densities of invertebrates in this estuary. Salinity was 25-30%o near the bottom at all sites, suggesting that this variable was not a sig- nificant factor. Differential predation. sediment composition, and depth may also influence invertebrate density and taxonomic composition, thus contributing to the variability of the data. Nutrient loading from watersheds has induced replacement of eelgrass by macroalgae-dominated communities in many shallow estuaries (2, 5). Our study demonstrates that these shifts in macrophyte assemblages may play a key role in macrobenthic invertebrate community changes. Both eelgrass-dominated and macroalgae-dominated sites can support comparable invertebrate densities; however, as macroalgae increase, benthic invertebrate numbers decrease. The switch in dominance from eelgrass to macroalgae is also accompanied by changes in taxonomic com- position. This work was supported by REU-NSF (OCE 9300490), NOAA (NA170R21101), and the Waquoit Bay Fellowship. Literature Cited 1. Valiela, I., el al. 1992. Esluark-s 15: 443-457. 2. Duarte, C. M. 1995. Ophelia 41: 87-1 12. 3. llcip, C. 1995. Ophelia 41: 1 13-136. 4. D'Avanzo, C., and J. N. Kremer. 199-4. Estuaries 17: 131-139. 5. Lyons, J. A., J. Ahern, J. McClelland, and I. Valiela. 1995. Bin/. Bull. 189: 255-256. Reference: Biol. Bull 189: 242-243. (October/November, 1995) Effect of Changing Plant Morphology on Invertebrate Susceptibility to Predation in Eelgrass Beds Matthew C. Prcisser and Linda A. Deegan (Marine Biological Laboratory) Long-term coastal eutrophication leads to changes in the macrophyte community in eelgrass beds by allow
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