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BOTTOM SAMPLING AND ENVIRONMENTAL NICHES 1
Author(s) -
Lackey James B.
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1961.6.3.0271
Subject(s) - biota , benthic zone , environmental science , ecology , sampling (signal processing) , algae , benthos , population , bottom water , oceanography , geology , biology , demography , filter (signal processing) , sociology , computer science , computer vision
Sampling different environments at the bottom level in marine waters indicates that areas of small extent may have very different biotas, both as to component species, and as to total numbers. In fine particle (mud) bottoms, the algae and protozoa are concentrated in the 2 to 5‐mm mud‐water interface. In sand at the tide line, they are concentrated at somewhat deeper levels. If the bottom is anaerobic the biota is characterized by sulfur bacteria, certain colorless euglenids and ciliates. In aerobic bottom areas, this work indicates a smaller, less extensive biota. The amount of sampling however, was not sufficient to make this a conclusion. In the mud‐water interface of 5 aquaria where H 2 S reached the surface in small patches, there was a larger and more varied population than in non‐sulfurous mud a few centimeters away. It is apparent that microclimatic factors are responsible for large biotic differences within short linear distances, and that one should sample benthic populations in an undisturbed mud‐water interface. Either a large area should be sampled, or many core samples should be taken, the latter method being preferable.