Foto: U. Niermann
Makrozoobenthos studies
are carried out routinely within the framework of the new German Marine
Monitoring Programme (BLMP). Observed changes in the bottom-living communities
reflect natural processes as well as the impact of human activities causing
pollution of the marine environment. The focus of the studies is on species
diversity, abundance, and biomass. Long-term studies are made to investigate,
for example, the distribution of alien species like the razor-clam (Ensis
directus), and of threatened species like the common whelk (Buccinum
undatum) and lobster (Homarus gammarus). Zoobenthos data is stored
centrally at DOD/MUDAB, together with the other physical, chemical, and
biological data of the Monitoring Programme. To assure the quality of the
zoobenthos data, the Federal Environmental Agency has initiated the development
of a BLMP list of species, which contains information on the current scientific
name, synonyms used, systematics, abundance, the international ITIS coding
number (Integrated Taxonomic Information System,
a partner of Species2000), and classification literature. The list of species
has 540 entries (status: February 1999). You find the searchable list below
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