Vanreusel, A.

Vincx, M.

Open Marine Archive

Proceedings EPBRS Brussels 2001 
 
 
 
212 European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy 
6.4 Theme 3: experimental approaches and habitat 
restoration  
 
 
6.4.1 Benthos and sustainable management of marine ecosystems 
 
Prof. Dr. A. Vanreusel,  Prof. Dr. M. Vincx & collaborators 
 
Gent University, Biology Department, Marine Biology Section,  
 
Benthic communities are high biodiversity spots in marine ecosystems; they are considered 
as good bio-indicators for sustainable management.  
Bottom communities have to be adapted to the influences of processes occurring in the 
overlaying water and the most sensitive species will disappear, which will effect the structure 
and the functioning of the communities. Information about the structural and functional 
biodiversity (number of species, biomass-spectra, food-web linkages,...) is required in order 
to understand the functioning and sustainability of an ecosystem. Through experimental 
approaches the functional relationships are investigated in order to understand the 
maintenance of biodiversity patterns, while monitoring programmes allow to survey the 
condition of the marine habitats.  
The relationships between biodiversity and functioning of an ecosystem (with emphasis for 
developing scientific tools for conservation) will be illustrated from coastal systems (North 
Sea and adjacent estuaries) as well as from extreme marine environments (e.g. deep sea, 
Antarctic sediments, ..). 
 
Contact: Dr Magda Vincx 
Universiteit Gent - Department of Biology 
K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35 – B-9000 Gent 
 
 
6.4.2 Conservation of estuarine ecosystems 
 
Patrick Meire1, Erica Van den Bergh 2 & Tom Ysebaert 3 
 
1University of Antwerp 
2Institute of nature conservation 
3Netherlands Institute of Ecology 
 
Estuaries belong to the most productive ecosystems of the world and hold a very diverse and 
rich biodiversity. However these areas are also under heavy pressure from many human 
activities such us fisheries, land reclamation, dredging etc. In these systems conservation of 
biodiversity is only possible by adopting an ecosystem approach. In this paper we will present 
an ecosystem management plan for the Schelde estuary. Overall ecosystem goals (both 
structural and functional) are defined and the different management options or explored. 
Management options include habitat restoration, changes in the hydraulics, water quality and 
-quantity management. 
 
Contact: Patrick Meire 
University of Antwerp-UIA campus - Department of Biology 
Universiteitsplein 1 - B-2610 Antwerpen 
 
 
6.4.3 Experimental management of a limestone grassland in the Viroin Valley 
 
Louis-Marie Delescaille 
 
Centre de Recherche de la Nature, des Forêts et du Bois 
La Maison du Parc 
 


Benthos and sustainable management of marine ecosystems

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Open Marine Archive