Abstract
The rate of regrowth of Limaria hians nest material, following a simulated dredging impact, was examined on an extensive L. hians bed off the west coast of Scotland. Within an area of complete coverage of the sea bed by a turf of L. hians nest material, the turf was cleared by diver from 10 × 0.25 m2 plots and the sediment subsequently raked to simulate the passage of a scallop dredge. The areal extent and pattern of nest regrowth were recorded after 6 and 12 months. Control plots showed no significant change in 100% nest cover over the year. In the treated plots regrowth generally occurred from extension of peripheral nest material. Over the initial 6 autumn and winter months treatment plots displayed a mean regrowth of 9.2% of the cleared area, increasing to 15% in the second 6-month spring and summer period. However, no significant difference in growth was found between these periods. After 12 months half the treatment plots exhibited <25% nest cover and none of them contained nest of a thickness comparable to the surrounding bed. Conversion of regrowth rates within the treated plots to the rate of nest advance along a linear front, gave a value of 3.2 cm per year, highlighting the susceptibility of this species-rich biotope to scallop dredging. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 351-356 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 10 Apr 2009 |
Keywords
- dredge impact
- man-induced effects
- marine molluscs
- reef formation
- Scotland
- species diversity