Tidal Current Speed and Production of Benthic Macrofauna in the Lower Bay of Fundy

Abstract

The benthic production of the lower Bay of Fundy, which has an area of 8620 km2, was estimated to be 166.7 × 104 t wet biomass in summer 1978, equivalent to an average benthic production of 193 g∙m−2∙yr−1. Over 88% of the production was by suspension feeders of which the horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus (Linnaeus, 1758), was by far the largest contributor.The geographic distribution of production of the major, soft-sediment, epi- and infaunal trophic groups in the lower Bay of Fundy was in general agreement with the hypothesis that tidal currents are a major determinant of benthic distribution and production in the lower Bay. Tidal currents control sediment dynamics, as well as settlement, growth, and feeding of benthic animals.Key words: benthos, benthic production, trophic groups, lower Bay of Fundy