Seasonal variation of a molluscan assemblage living in a Caulerpa prolifera meadow within the inner Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain)

The molluscan macrofauna living in shallow muddy bottoms with the green algae Caulerpa prolifera was studied monthly between February 1994 and January 1996 in the inner Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain). The molluscan assemblage followed a similar pattern over the 2 years, displaying seasonal trends in species richness, abundance and structure. During the autumn and winter months, a decrease in abundance, species richness and diversity and an increase in evenness occurred. During the spring and summer months, the molluscan assemblage was characterised by an increase in species richness, abundance and diversity. These seasonal trends were supported statistically by the presence of significantly different groupings of seasonal samples in multivariate analyses.Despite human impacts in the bay (e.g. aquaculture activities, sewage), the presence of repetitive seasonal trends, based on the qualitative and quantitative data, indicates the stability of the molluscan assemblage over 2 years. Benthic characteristics from the inner Bay of Cádiz, such as shallow soft bottoms with the presence of macrophytes and current dynamics, seem to be key factors influencing the composition and seasonality of this molluscan assemblage.     

A century later: Long-term change of an inshore temperate marine fish assemblage

There is compelling evidence that European marine fish assemblages have undergone extensive changes in composition over the last century. However, our knowledge of which species have changed in abundance and body size distributions, and the reasons for these changes, is limited due to a paucity of historical data. Here we report a study of long-term change in a marine fish assemblage from the inshore waters of the Western English Channel, near Plymouth. We compiled data from historic trawls undertaken between 1913 and 1922, and resurveyed those sites in 2008 and 2009. Our results revealed highly significant temporal differences in assemblage composition, but the scale of change was not consistent among taxonomic groups. Dramatic changes were recorded within the elasmobranchs, characterised by a reduction in abundance of all skate (Rajiidae) species, apparent extirpation of the angel shark (Squatina squatina), and large increases in the abundance of lesser-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula). By contrast we observed less evidence of change among ‘flatfishes’ (Pleuronectiformes) or ‘roundfishes’ (other teleosts). Changes were also observed in length–frequency distributions, with a significant decline in the size distribution of elasmobranchs (excluding S. canicula), but no significant change in size distributions of either group of teleosts. These data provide further evidence that larger, slow-maturing species have undergone declines in UK waters over the last century, and form useful benchmarks for assessment of future changes in this coastal faunal assemblage.     

Macrobenthic community structure over the continental margin of Crete (South Aegean Sea, NE Mediterranean)

Macrobenthic faunal composition, abundance, biomass and diversity together with a suite of sedimentary environmental parameters were investigated on a seasonal basis in order to determine factors regulating faunal distribution over the oligotrophic continental margin of the island of Crete (South Aegean Sea, North Eastern Mediterranean). Macrofaunal species composition was similar to that of the western Mediterranean and the neighboring Atlantic having several common dominant species. Mean benthic biomass, abundance and diversity decreased with depth, with a major transition zone occurring at 540 m, beyond which values declined sharply. At comparable depths biomass and abundance values were considerably lower to those found in the Atlantic, high-lighting the extreme oligotrophy of the area. The continental margin of Crete was characterised by a high diversity upper continental shelf environment (dominated by surface deposit feeding polychaetes) and a very low diversity slope and deep-basin environment (dominated by carnivorous and filter feeding polychaetes). Classification and ordination analyses revealed the existence of four principle clusters divided by a faunal boundary between 200 and 540 m, as well as beyond 940 m depth. Significant correlations between macrofauna and sediment parameters led to the conclusion that besides depth, food availability (as manifested by the concentration of chloroplastic pigments) is the principle regulating factor in the system. Such being the case, the prevailing hydrographic features that structure the pelagic food web and are directly responsible for the propagation of organic matter to the benthos also affect its community structure.     

Macrofaunal nematodes of the deep Whittard Canyon (NE Atlantic): assemblage characteristics and comparison with polychaetes

Large nematodes form an important component of deep‐sea macrofaunal assemblages, but are often considered to be part of the meiobenthos and are rarely studied. We analysed the standing stocks, diversity, and functional group and genus‐level composition of macrofaunal nematodes at lower bathyal depths (3,500 m water depth) in the Whittard Canyon system (NE Atlantic) and on the adjacent continental slope. Five replicate sample sets were obtained using a Megacorer, at four locations (three canyon branches, one slope). Sediment samples were processed on a 500‐μm mesh to provide both nematode and polychaete data from the same samples. The dominant nematode genera included Paramesacanthion, Metacylicolaimus, Cylicolaimus and Phanodermopsis. Nematode standing stocks (density and biomass) increased significantly from slope to canyon locations. Similarly, nematode dominance increased substantially (and diversity decreased) from slope to canyon locations. Nematode feeding groups and tail shape groups also appeared to exhibit common trends across study locations. Nematode genus‐level faunal composition varied significantly between slope and canyon locations. We describe and discuss the broadly similar trends detected in the matching polychaete data, noting some differences in the polychaete density and diversity responses. We suggest that the similar trends in macrofaunal nematode and polychaete ecology across our four study locations reflect responses to both changing sedimentology and food availability.     

Patterns in the abundance of hyperbenthic zooplankton and colonization of marine benthic invertebrates on the seafloor of Saanich Inlet,a seasonally hypoxic fjord

This study describes changes in abundance of hyperbenthic zooplankton (including meroplankton) and benthic colonists at the seasonally hypoxic seabed of Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada. We used the Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea (VENUS) cabled observatory to measure water properties and to sample hyperbenthos with a sediment trap at 97 m from September 2008 to September 2009. Some faunal groups exhibited seasonal reproduction, and abundance peaked during their reproductive periods. These included larvae of the barnacle Balanus crenatus, and the crabs Petrolisthes eriomerus, Oregonia gracilis, and Lophopanopeus bellus bellus. Other groups were most abundant in spring and summer when food and oxygen levels were highest and temperature was lowest. These included cumaceans, the siphonophore Diphyes sp., the bryozoan Triticella pedicellata, and tintinnids. We also collected benthic colonists, predominantly bryozoans and polychaetes, on colonization plates deployed in spring/summer 2008, fall 2008/winter 2009, and spring/summer 2009. The total abundance of colonists and of bryozoans did not vary seasonally or with substrate complexity, whereas polychaetes were more numerous in spring/summer deployments and on a highly complex substrate. Taxon richness of colonists was higher in spring/summer 2008 than in fall 2008/winter 2009, whereas an anoxic episode in spring/summer 2009 reduced richness to similar values with that of fall 2008/winter 2009 levels. Substrate complexity had no effect on richness. Juvenile squat lobsters, digitally imaged in fall 2008/winter 2009, were most numerous when oxygen levels were lowest and potentially excluding larger predators. Our study illustrates how season, food availability, temperature, and oxygen can interact to shape community structure in a seasonally hypoxic habitat.     

青岛岩礁海藻附植动物的区系组成和季节动态

于2007年11月～2008年10月对青岛太平角岩石潮间带鼠尾藻附植动物进行了连续12个月的逐月采样调查,并根据蜈蚣藻、角叉菜、扇形叉枝藻、海蒿子和叉节藻等海藻生长期的不同而在不同月份对其分别进行了采样,研究了附植动物的类群组成、丰度、生物量及其季节动态。所有海藻样品共鉴定出附植动物16个类群。鼠尾藻附植动物的年平均丰度为606ind/gdwtalgae,优势类群为线虫和桡足类,其次是腹足类和多毛类。鼠尾藻附植动物的平均丰度最高值出现在4月,最低值出现在7月。鼠尾藻附植动物的年平均生物量为282×103μg/g dwt algae,最高值出现在6月,最低值为2月。其他海藻附植动物的类群数、丰度、生物量均低于鼠尾藻。海藻附植动物的优势类群及其丰度和生物量在不同月份和不同海藻之间均显著不同。相对于海水理化因子季节变化的影响,不同海藻生长型形态的复杂性及同一种海藻随生长周期而发生的形态变化对附植动物的区系组成和季节动态的影响可能占居更主要地位。     

Depth zonation and bathymetric trends of deep-sea megafaunal scavengers of the Hawaiian Islands

The deep sea has been shown to exhibit strong depth zonation in species composition and abundance. Examination of these patterns can offer ecological insight into how organisms adapt and respond to changing environmental parameters that co-occur with depth. Here we provide the first tropical study on bathymetric zonation and other depth-related trends (size, abundance, and species richness) spanning shelf to abyssal depths of scavenging megafauna. Baited time-lapse free-vehicle cameras were used to examine the deep-sea benthic and demersal scavenging communities of the Hawaiian Islands, an area for which the biology and ecology have remained poorly studied below 2000 m. Twenty-two deployments ranging in depth from 250 to 4783 m yielded 37 taxa attracted to bait, including the first known occurrence of the family Zoarcidae in the Hawaiian Islands. Cluster analysis of Bray–Curtis similarity of species peak abundance (n_max) revealed four main faunal zones (250–500, 1000, 1500–3000, and ?4000 m) with significant separation (ANOSIM, global R=0.907, p=0.001) between designated depth groups. A major faunal break was identified at the 500–1000 m transition where species turnover was greatest, coinciding with the location of the local oxygen minimum zone. Dominance in species assemblage shifted from decapod crustaceans to teleosts moving from shallow to deeper faunal zones. Significant size differences in total length with depth were found for two of the four fish species examined. A logarithmic decline was observed in scavenger relative abundance with depth. Evidence of interaction between scavenging species was also noted between Synaphobranchus affinis and Neolithodes sp. (competition) and Histiobranchus sp. and aristeid shrimp (predation), suggesting that interactions between scavengers could influence indices of abundance generated from baited camera data.     

Plankton pulses in a temperate coastal embayment during the Winter-Spring transition

Hydrographical parameters, phytoplankton productivity and plankton composition were determined over a five-month period in the Bay of Plencia, a coastal area located in the mouth of the river Butron in Biscay, Basque Country. The water column was moderately mixed during most of the study period, which lasted from February to June 1985. Nutrient levels showed high temporal variability and were affected by both river runoff and seasonal biological processes. Nutrients were present most of the time in relatively high concentrations and most of them decreased in late spring. Phytoplankton size structure analysis showed that nanoplankton had the higher chlorophyll content and was responsible for most of the primary production. The phytoplankton showed changes in community composition resulting from the normal progression of the winter-spring conditions. Short-lived peaks of diatom concentration in the spring were followed by periods of low abundance, when maxima of Cladocera and Appendicularia occurred. Total zooplankton showed two peaks of abundance in mid-winter and mid-spring, respectively. Nauplii of Copepoda, juvenile stages of Calanoida and nauplii of Cirripedia were responsible for the two peaks, together with highly seasonal groups (Cladocera, Appendicularia and Cnidaria) in the spring maxima.Primary production seems to be driven by physical processes (temperature, short photoperiod and storms) in winter, whereas depletion of nutrients and grazing by zooplankton are responsible for phytoplankton minima between peaks of abundance in the growing season. Two temporal phases were apparent when the data were analysed by a principal component analysis.     

Seasonal cycles and long-term trends of plankton in shelf and oceanic habitats of the Norwegian Sea in relation to environmental variables

The plankton abundance data of the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) route from Bergen or Rotterdam to Weather Station Mike (6444^′N, 2E) from 1949 to 1981 were analysed for long-term trends and seasonal production cycles, and were related to environmental data. The data were explored using the canonical correlation analysis and nonparametric techniques like the Nadaraya–Watson regression. While large copepods such as Calanus spp. and Metridia lucens did not show any temporal trends, a sharp decrease in the abundances of smaller copepods and phytoplankton was observed after 1960. The temporal trends were not related to the NAO, but did show a correlation with the wind direction. Seasonal abundance curves showed that production of both phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa started earlier in coastal water compared to Atlantic water. From the 1950s to the 1970s most taxa showed a delay in the start of the seasonal production cycles, indicating a reduction in the length of the productive cycle. This may to some extent explain the reduced abundance of smaller copepods, phytoplankton and other species during the 1960s and 1970s.     

长江口大型底栖动物群落的演变过程及原因探讨

根据近30年来的长江口大型底栖动物群落的历史资料,以及2009年和2010年的现场调查数据,从长江口底栖动物群落结构变化特征出发,分析了其长期演变的过程和规律,旨在阐明底栖动物群落的演变趋势,识别其重要演变时段。同时结合长江口海域近50~60年来的入海径流量和携沙量变化、营养盐和DO等水质特征变化,分析底栖动物群落的变化原因。分析结果表明,长江口底栖生物群落的变化可大体分为3个阶段,第一阶段是20世纪90年代之前,底栖生物群落无论物种数、生物量都维持相对较高的水平;第二阶段发生在20世纪90年代初至2005年,由于受到气候变化和人类活动的综合影响,底栖生物群落的上述指标都有所降低,表明受到自然和人为因素干扰的加剧;第三阶段是2005年之后至现在,由于长江口水域的各项生态环境保护措施加强,底栖生物群落得到一定程度的恢复。通过对长江口海域各种环境因素的分析表明,底栖生物群落变化受到长江口区域生物因素和非生物因素的共同影响,变化趋势也与环境因素的变化比较吻合。     

Temporal variations and trends of CFC11 and CFC12 surface-water saturations in Antarctic marginal seas: Results of a regional ocean circulation model

The knowledge of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC11, CFC12) concentrations in ocean surface waters is a prerequisite for deriving formation rates of, and water mass ages in, deep and bottom waters on the basis of CFC data. In the Antarctic coastal region, surface-layer data are sparse in time and space, primarily due to the limited accessibility of the region. To help filling this gap, we carried out CFC simulations using a regional ocean general circulation model (OGCM) for the Southern Ocean, which includes the ocean–ice shelf interaction. The simulated surface layer saturations, i.e. the actual surface concentrations relative to solubility-equilibrium values, are verified against available observations. The CFC surface saturations driven by concentration gradients between atmosphere and ocean are controlled mainly by the sea ice cover, sea surface temperature, and salinity. However, no uniform explanation exists for the controlling mechanisms. Here, we present simulated long-term trends and seasonal variations of surface-layer saturation at Southern Ocean deep and bottom water formation sites and other key regions, and we discuss differences between these regions. The amplitudes of the seasonal saturation cycle vary from 22% to 66% and their long-term trends range from 0.1%/year to 0.9%/year. The seasonal surface saturation maximum lags the ice cover minimum by two months. By utilizing observed bottle data the full seasonal CFC saturation cycle can be determined offering the possibility to predict long-term trends in the future. We show that ignoring the trends and using instead the saturations actually observed can lead to systematic errors in deduced inventory-based formation rates by up to 10% and suggest an erroneous decline with time.     

Long-term nutrient variation trends and their potential impact on phytoplankton in the southern Yellow Sea,China

The concentration and composition of nutrients, such as N, P, and Si, respond to biogeochemical processes and in turn, impact the phytoplanktons’ community structure and primary production. In this study, historical data was systematically analyzed to identify long-term variations in nutrient trends, red tide frequency, phytoplankton community abundance, and dominant species succession in the southern Yellow Sea(SYS). Results showed that N/P concentration ratios dramatically increased as a funct...     

Environmental factors and interactions affecting the temporal abundance of juvenile flatfish in the Thames Estuary

Samples taken regularly from the intake screens of West Thurrock power station between January 1977 and November 1992 were used to investigate the factors controlling flatfish abundance (flounder: Platichthys flesus; dab: Limanda limanda; plaice: Pleuronectes platessa; sole: Solea solea) in the middle Thames estuary. Most sampled fish were age-0. All species followed regular patterns of seasonal occurrence, had distinctive seasonal abundance peaks and demonstrated only minimal temporal overlap. Multiple-regression models were used to study the relationship between physico-chemical variables, physico-chemical variable interactions, trends and seasonal factors on fluctuations in flatfish sample abundance. Flounder abundance was significantly influenced by temperature, suspended solids, oxygen-flow and oxygen-temperature interactions, trend and seasonal variables. Dab abundance was significantly related to suspended solids, oxygen-flow, oxygen-temperature and flow-chlorinity interactions, Crangon crangon abundance and seasonal variables. Sole abundance was controlled only by seasonal variables, whilst plaice abundance could not be adequately explained by the available physico-chemical data. The combination of variables affecting flatfish abundance indicates species using the estuary were affected by a complex set of events within the estuary. The interactions between routinely measured environmental variables further suggest that estuarine monitoring studies must attempt to understand the nature of possible interactions between variables if an improved understanding of the changes in estuarine fish communities resulting from human activity is to be gained.     

The role of scallop-dredge disturbance in long-term changes in Irish Sea benthic communities: a re-analysis of an historical dataset

Benthic community data collected between 1938 and 1950 by N.S. Jones were compared with modern samples from seven sites in the Irish Sea. Multivariate and univariate methods were used to compare community change over time and examine the possible impact of scallop dredging over the 60 year time period. A conservative approach to data analysis ensured that observed differences in faunal composition between time periods were not due to differences in sampling methodologies or taxonomic identification. The community composition changed at all sites, though to different degrees. The amount of change was related to how long a site had been fished, rather than fishing intensity. Mobile, robust and scavenging taxa have increased in abundance, while slow-moving or sessile, fragile taxa have decreased. Differences between historical and modern samples were greater than could be accounted for by the natural variability of the system (as indicated by spatial and temporal replication at three sites) and indicate real long-term change. This study emphasises that, in the absence of good-quality data series and experiments, the use of ‘fuzzy’ historical data is often the only possible way to judge long-term change and can yield valuable results.     

Spatial considerations when monitoring reef fishes

Spatial dependence can obscure relationships between response and explanatory variables because of structuring within the residuals reducing variance and biasing coefficient estimates. Here, we highlight the influence of the spatial component, in the presence of spatial dependence, on abundance trends. This is illustrated using abundance data for a Critically Endangered reef fish, dageraad Chrysoblephus cristiceps, which were obtained from a long-term monitoring programme in the Tsitsikamma National Park marine protected area, South Africa. Correlograms illustrate distinct spatial structuring in the abundance data, and spatial variables were determined as more important than temporal variables when ranked according to predictive power using a random forest analysis. A generalised additive model (GAM) that did not account for spatial dependencies was compared to a generalised additive mixed model (GAMM) that incorporated a spatial residual correlation structure. Results derived from the spatially explicit GAMM differed considerably from the GAM lacking a spatial component, with the latter deemed to produce over-precise and partially biased abundance trends. The study emphasises the importance of space in accurately modelling abundance estimates, particularly temporal trends, and provides an introduction to the minimal statistical requirements necessary to address the violations associated with spatial autocorrelation.     

Inference models for tidal flat elevation and sediment grain size: A Preliminary approach on tidal flat macrobenthic community

A vertical transect with 4 km length was established for the macrofaunal survey on the Chokchon macrotidal flat in Kyeonggi Bay, Incheon, Korea, 1994. Tidal elevation (m) and sediment mean grain size (φ) were inversely predicted by the transfer functions from the faunal assemblages. Three methods: weighted average using optimum value (WA), tolerance weighted version of the weighted average (WAT ) and maximum likelihood calibration (MLC) were employed. Estimates of tidal elevation and mean grain size obtained by using the three different methods showed positively corresponding trends with the observations. The estimates of MLC were found to have the minimum value of sum of squares due to errors (SSE). When applied to the previous data (1990~1992), each of three inference models exhibited high predictive power. This result implied there are visible relationships between species composition and faunas’ critical environmental factors. Although a potential significance of the two major abiotic factors was re-affirmed, a weak tendency of biological interaction was detected from faunal distribution patterns across the flat. In comparison to the spatial and temporal patterns of the estimates, it was suggested that sediment characteristics were the primary factors regulating the distribution of macrofaunal assemblages, rather than tidal elevation, and the species composition may be sensitively determined by minute changes in substratum properties on a tidal flat.     

2005～2006年珠江口浮游动物群落变化研究

根据2005年4月至2006年9月珠江口4个航次19个站位的调查资料,分析了春、夏季和秋季初浮游动物的种类组成、优势种和个体数量等的时空变化,并分析了研究期间浮游动物群落的演替情况．经鉴定共发现终生浮游动物226种和阶段性浮游幼体5个类群．优势种中,除了刺尾纺锤水蚤（Acartia spinicauda）、强额拟哲水蚤（Paracalanus crassirostris）和中华异水蚤（Acartiella sinensis）等过去常见的优势种外还出现枝角类和被囊类的种类,夜光虫（Noctiluca scintillans）则是春季的第一优势种．调查海区的浮游动物可划分为河口类群、近岸类群、大洋类群和广温广盐类群．2006年浮游动物的平均个体数量高于2005年,春季的平均个体数量高于同年夏季或秋季初,空间分布则无明显规律．根据相关分析,盐度和水温是影响该海区浮游动物群落结构的重要因素．根据演替速率E值的计算结果,珠江口浮游动物群落存在明显的季节演替,但2005年至2006年间的同一季节则未出现显著的群落演替。     

Assessment of the monkfish Lophius vomerinus resource off Namibia

The Lophius vomerinus component of the monkfish resource off Namibia was assessed by means of deterministic length- and age-based models. Steady state length cohort analyses illustrated that, although the model was sensitive to the rate of natural mortality, it was relatively insensitive to changes in terminal fishing mortality. These biases may, however, not be serious provided that estimates of abundance are used to reflect relative changes in the biomass dynamics of the population. The age-structured production model, tuned to trends in General-Linear-Modelling-standardized catch-per-unit-effort data and relative abundance indices calculated from hake (Merluccius spp.) biomass surveys, together with observed commercial and survey catches-at-age, showed similar trends. Both models provided evidence that the monkfish resource was fully to overexploited, with current harvesting levels higher than those concomitant with sustainable yields.     

High-resolution dynamics of a deep-sea hydrothermal mussel assemblage monitored by the EMSO-Açores MoMAR observatory

Although the spatial distribution of hydrothermal vent assemblages in relation to environmental conditions has been assessed in several studies, there is little documented data on the temporal variation of the fauna and corresponding abiotic factors in a vent community. Here, we present one of the longest integrated (faunal and environmental data) time series ever obtained in a hydrothermal ecosystem. The data were acquired using the TEMPO ecological module that was deployed between 2006 and 2008 on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, providing the first insights into the day-to-day variations in a Bathymodiolus azoricus mussel assemblage from the Lucky Strike vent field for the 48 days during which the video camera operated. The time-series yielded additional valuable information on longer-term variation in faunal distribution (comparing ~2 years), temperature (11.7 months) and iron concentrations (3.8 months).Results from daily observations showed that the vent mussel assemblage was quite stable over the 48 days of the study, reflecting the relative stability of environmental conditions during this period. B. azoricus mussels appeared to thrive in areas of very limited hydrothermal fluid input in habitats that are, as in other deep-sea ecosystems, significantly influenced by ocean tidal signals. Variation in species abundance was observed but, with the exception of Mirocaris fortunata shrimp, no links could be established with measured environmental variables. Although we did not observe any clear tidal influence on vent fauna, it is likely that physiological processes and species’ activities are influenced by these periodic variations. Longer time series are currently being acquired by different experiments deployed on the EMSO-Açores MoMAR observatory (2010–2013 and still recording). They should further improve our knowledge of the dynamics of hydrothermal systems and their associated faunal communities.     

Large-scale variation in macrofaunal communities along the eastern Nordic Seas continental margin: A comparison of four stations with contrasting food supply

A hypothesis-driven approach was used to examine the relative importance of pelagic and advective organic flux as drivers of macrofaunal community structure at mid-slope (900–1400 m) depths along the eastern Nordic Seas margin. Ice-free stations were sampled on the Vøring Plateau (VP, mainly pelagic flux) and Bear Island Fan (BIF, major downslope advection). Seasonally ice-covered stations with episodic inputs of fresh phytodetritus were located on the Svalbard Margin (SM, major current-driven advective input), and Yermak Plateau (YP, low advective input). Macrofaunal biomass was higher at stations with seasonal ice cover, suggesting a greater supply of bioavailable organic matter in the marginal ice zones. At VP, BIF and SM, box corer and multiple corer samples gave broadly consistent community data. Very large infauna in box corer samples from YP indicated the existence of a faunal component absent or not sampled at the other three stations. This faunal component and higher mean body size for 18 out of 23 major taxa at YP relative to VP was consistent with a hypothesis relating body size to interannual variability of sinking flux, but was confounded by a depth difference between the two stations. Consistent with predictions, taxa associated with subsurface ‘caching’ of fresh organic matter were important community elements at stations experiencing episodic pelagic input, but not at the advection-dominated BIF. Current-driven advective flux was associated with high suspension-feeder biomass at BIF, but not at SM. The predicted high representation of subsurface deposit-feeders at BIF was not found. Sipunculans (Nephasoma sp.) known to rapidly subduct fresh organic matter were found at all stations but were most abundant at VP. Comparison with data from the mid-1980s showed a large difference in estimated macrofaunal abundance on the Vøring Plateau, but good agreement in biomass. Community patterns on the Vøring Plateau were generally consistent with earlier data. Standing stock estimates from the Svalbard Margin and Yermak Plateau also agreed well with previous data. Results suggest that large-scale contrasts in organic flux can be used to predict some aspects of bathyal macrofaunal community composition in the Nordic Seas.