Quantitative distribution of benthic macrofauna off New Zealand, with particular reference to the west coast of the South Island

Abstract

During January and February 1983, replicate box‐core samples were taken at 18 stations on the continental shelf and upper slope (23–938 m depth) off the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, to estimate biomass, faunal density, and faunal composition of the soft‐bottom macrofauna. Biomass ranged from 4.3 to 422.9 g wet wt m^‐2, and faunal density from 230 to 23 190 individuals m^‐2. Biomass and faunal density were inversely correlated with depth. Polychaetes, bivalves, peracarid Crustacea, and ophiuroids were usually the most abundant taxa. Some quantitative macrobenthic data were also collected at three other South Island locations: Tasman Bay, Pegasus Bay, and off the Otago Peninsula. Results of the study in part support an earlier observation that benthic biomass off the east coast of New Zealand tends to be greater than that off the west coast. This may reflect corresponding differences in primary productivity and seasonal variation of planktonic biomass.

Keywords:

• benthos
• fauna
• quantitative distribution
• biomass
• continental shelf
• continental slope
• New Zealand
• South Island
• west coast
• Tasman Bay
• Pegasus Bay
• Otago

Notes

Present address: Group Environmental Services, The British Petroleum Company, Britannic House, Moor Lane, London EC2Y 9BU, United Kingdom