Eerkens, M. (2013) Research Report 1: Engineering an ecosystem engineer: geese-Zostera-Sediment feedback. Master's Thesis / Essay, Biology.
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Abstract
This study will look at the interaction between brent geese and Zostera noltii and the effect it has on the spatial mosaic of the intertidal mudflat at Uithuizerwad (The Netherlands). The spatial structure at Uithuizerwad consist of a mosaic of hummocks and hollows, which are covered with Z. noltii. In the winter this seagrass is grazed by wintering brent geese. This paper shows that brent geese spent more time in the hollows than on the hummocks and that geese grazing affects the spatial mosaic of hummocks and hollows. The geese remove excess sediment (due to over-engineering by Z. noltii) from the top of hummocks and under geese grazing the spatial mosaic of hummocks and hollows is disappearing. More research needs to be done however to fully understand the underlying processes and to test whether or not the spatial mosaic disappears for good, or that it reappears in the next growing season.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Master's Thesis / Essay |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Feb 2018 07:52 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Feb 2018 07:52 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/10929 |
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