Until now it has often been disregarded that both large and rapid variations in phytoplankton biomass in shallow coastal waters and fjords are likely to be the results of a complicated interplay between hydrography and filter-feeding benthos. Such insight is of great importance for a general basic understanding of the dynamics in coastal ecosystems. Marseille Cedex 9, France. The knowledge of the different aspects and effects of bioturbation on the physical, chemical and biological properties of the sediments are thus indispensable to understand and model the processes at the sediment-water interface. Activity appears to be higher in benthic than pelagic systems, potentially due to the high densities of interacting species in the benthos.
Researchers rely heavily on ecologically appropriate bioassays that parallel field situations.
Presentations of field and laboratory investigations are invited to stimulate discussion of the status, opportunities, and challenges in this field. Attention will be focused on comparing ecological and evolutionary processes between marine and freshwater systems. Potential contributors should not hesitate to contact the convenors. 502, College Station, Texas 77845. We seek contributions crossing the boundary between the fields of benthic biogeochemistry and microbial population ecology.