Abstract
The bottom fauna (16–30 m depth) of Kongsfjord (Svalbard) was investigated by direct observation, a SCUBA-diver operated suction sampler (quantitative) and underwater photography (semi-quantitative). The fauna on horizontal surfaces showed low similarity to that on vertical faces and overhangs, and had larger species heterogeneity between sampling sites. This was due to sedimentation and ice-rafted pebbles and stones creating “soft-bottom habitats” on the rocky bottom. Suction sampling resulted in collection of 73 taxa, including some species usually regarded as “soft-bottom” inhabitants. Fewer species were observed on the photographs, demonstrating the selectivity of this technique, but underwater photography may be a useful “non-destructive” method for obtaining information about conspicuous epifaunal taxa.
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Accepted: 18 July 2000
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Jørgensen, L., Gulliksen, B. Rocky bottom fauna in arctic Kongsfjord (Svalbard) studied by means of suction sampling and photography. Polar Biol 24, 113–121 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000000182
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000000182