Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observation Network
  • About
  • People
  • Biodiversity Observations
    • Biodiversity projects
    • Environmental projects
  • Data
  • Partners
  • Field Work
    • 2015 Cruise
    • 2017 Cruise
  • Project News
  • Links to Related Programs

Macrofauna

September 25, 2015 by Stacey Buckelew

Serripes groenlandica 1Macrofauna refers to the benthic animals that mostly live within the sediment. These include many bivalves and polychaete worms, among a whole host of other taxa. The mostly relatively immobile macrofauna is very closely linked to the primary production in the overlying water column and can be an excellent integrator of changes in the productivity regime in certain regions. The AMBON station coverage includes a region in the southern Chukchi Sea termed a “benthic hotspot” because of the very large amounts of bivalves found there. Macrofauna in AMBON will be collected from van Veen grabs. [AMBON scientist: Jacqueline Grebmeier]

AMBON Study Area

AMBON_2015_water_masses_a

A team of multi-disciplinary scientists are monitoring marine biodiversity in the U.S Arctic waters of the  Chukchi Sea. The  study stations (red circles) are shown together with the main water mass flow (arrows).

Arctic Ecosystem

Presentation1

The Arctic ecosystem has 3 main ecosystem realms: the sea ice provides habitat for small organisms and supports larger megafauna; the pelagic system includes both important primary producers and grazers; and the well-developed benthic system helps drive a complex food web.

Copyright © 2023 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in