The ecology of the Tamar Estuary IV. The distribution of the fauna and flora on buoys

Abstract

Buoys differ from the intertidal area in that they are constantly immersed near the surface of the water and the slope and texture of their surface is constant. The horizontal and vertical distribution of the macrofauna and macroflora on a series of buoys stretching from the open sea up the Tamar estuary is given.There are differences in estuarine penetration even among species belonging to the same genus. Distribution is likely to be affected by the time of laying the buoys and the period in the water. But the six buoys farthest from the sea were laid down and lifted at approximately the same time. For these, at least thirty species were available for colonization, but little more than half that number was found even on the most seaward; and the number decreased up-river.