Citation: Rodhouse, P.G. & Roden, C.M. 1987 Carbon budget for a coastal inlet in relation to intensive cultivation of suspension-feeding bivalve molluscs. Marine Ecology (Progress Series) 36: 225-236
Number of Pages: 12
Keywords: Aquaculture, Benthos, Checklist, Fauna, Marine, Marine Inlet, Mollusca, Monitoring, Plankton
Abstract: Data on biomass and production of macrobenthic infauna and zooplankton, and on primary production and wild mussel production are combined to arrive at a balanced carbon budget. Data are used to estimate maximum potential yield of mussels, 2000-3000 tonnes live weight per year. At this level changes in the ecosystem are predicted, from competition between mussels and zooplankton for food resources, increased sedimentation in some areas, and disruption of nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen should not limit mussel production. Mussel culture reroutes energy and materials but does not cause eutrophication by nutrient input (unlike fish culture in cages).