EFFEKTER AV SMÅBÅTSHAMNAR PÅ DJURLIVET I GRUNDA HAVSOMRÅDEN PÅ SVENSKA VÄSTKUSTEN, / Effects of Small Boat Harbours on the Fauna in Shallow Marine Areas on the West Coast of Sweden
On the Swedish west coast an increased demand for new small boat harbours has often lead to conflicts with the coastal fishery and nature conservationists. In this study the effects of small boat harbours on the mobile epibenthic fauna (shrimps, crabs and small fishes) and infauna (mussels, worms and small crustaceans) were investigated. Quantitative samples of the fauna were taken in 10 small boat harbours and in 6 reference areas. Seven of the harbours were ”basin-harbours”, i.e. with a narrow inlet which reduced the water exchange, and 3 were ”open harbours”. The reference areas were similar to the basin-harbours as regards reduced water exchange. The number of species and the biomass of mobile epibenthic fauna and infauna were significantly lower in basin-harbours compared to reference areas and harbours of open construction. “Complete abstract not presented.”