Sukzession von Makrozoobenthosgemeinschaften arktischer Weichböden (Kongsfjorden, Spitzbergen) - ein in situ-Experiment
The goal of this study was to quantify the succession of Arctic macrozoobenthic soft- sediment communities after iceberg scouring. In 2002 SCUBA-divers installed 28 containers in the soft-sediment of the Kongsfjorden at 18 m depth in Spitsbergen, which were filled with a bentonite-sand-mixture. From 2003 to 2007 annual samples have been taken. Similarity clustering of abundance data showed a significant difference within the sampled dates and in comparison with dates from the mature community. Organisms being characteristic for the surrounding, non-manipulated community are not found in the examined substrata. Reason for this might be annual variability, based on climate warming of the Kongsfjorden. This study shows that the maturation of the community follows a directed pattern of ecological succession, but it does not imply that the mature community will be reached.