Methodology - Benthos - MACRO-EPIFAUNA
Sessile hard
bottom fauna, sublittoral - SCUBA diving in the depth
of 2 to 30m, three randomly distributed metal frames (30x30cm)
on the selected type of habitat, within the same depth. All organisms
are collected (cut from the surface) from each frame into the mesh
bag of 0.5mm size. In case of motile organisms collection form
the hard bottom, the frame is equipped with gauze sac. The ejector
powered from the air bottle might be used for collection of smaller,
unattached animals hidden among rocks and stones. Motile epibenthos - light epibenthic sledge, equipped with solid fabric apron, thick coarse net and 1mm mesh size gauze in the cod end. The dredge is hauled along the previously recognized bottom profile, within given depth interval, between 2m and 300m. Usual ratio of a cable length needed to haul the dredge is 3 times the depth needed, the hauling speed does not exceed 2 knots, and a haul duration range from 10 to 30 minutes. The whole dredge is hauled out on the working deck, and depending on the type of sample obtained (less or more muddy) a subsample or the whole macrofauna is hand picked. The sample is a qualitative one, giving only the rough proportion of the density of organisms living on the seabed. Having number of dredge samples along a transect, permits to get the good information on the macro faunal species richness from the analysed area. Carrion feeders - number of fast moving organisms may avoid grabs and dredges or are too small to be collected into the fishing gear like beam or otter trawl. Carrion feeding crustaceans belong to the group of animals that are best collected with the use of baited traps. The one used in our department is a cylindrical construction of 1m per 30cm, covered with 1mm gauze, with two conical entrances on both ends. The bait (100g piece of fish or bird's meat) is placed in nylon mesh bag inside the trap. Trap is lowered on the seabed with an 2kg weight, and fastened to the buoy on the surface. Operational depths are 2 to 200m, deeper on, the acoustic release system is practical. The trap is exposed from 2hours up to 24 hours, and retrieved onboard. The catch (may reach over 1kg of biomass) is removed from the opening on the side of the net, washed in filtered seawater and placed in the preservative. The position, amount of bait before and after the exposure, depth, duration of exposure are noted. |