Studies on the distribution of Zostera in the outer Thames Estuary
In: Aquaculture. Elsevier: Amsterdam; London; New York; Oxford; Tokyo. ISSN 0044-8486; e-ISSN 1873-5622, more
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| Keywords |
Distribution > Geographical distribution > Horizontal distribution
Zostera subg. Zostera marina Linnaeus, 1753 [WoRMS]
ANE, British Isles, England, Thames Estuary [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Wyer, D.W.
- Boorman, L.A.
- Waters, R.
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| Abstract |
There are two species of eelgrass in the study area, Zostera marina L. (narrow leaved form) and Z. noltii Hornem. The former occurs lower down the shore, usually in hollows which hold standing water at low tide. The latter occurs higher up the shore and on hummocks which drain freely at low water. Z. noltii, unlike Z. marina, holds its leaves well into the winter and is thus available as an early winter food source for herbivores, principally Brent geese and wigeon. The survey showed that the 28 000 ha of mud flats in the study area included 844 ha of Zostera. The largest continuous bed of Z. noltii is at Maplin (241 ha), and of Z. marina is at Holbrook on the Stour (98 ha). Changes in the Zostera bed at Leigh Marsh over the last 30 years are also described. |
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