DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-STABILIZATION OF RESTORED AND CREATED INTERTIDAL FLAT ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

The development characteristics of restored and created intertidal flat ecosystems were examined by using data from an indoor mesocosm experiment and field studies conducted at a created intertidal flat in Mikawa Bay. The drastic elevation change in the created intertidal flat caused a decrease in macrofaunal abundance, preventing self-stabilization of the ecosystem. Macrofaunal species richness reached a dynamic equilibrium between two and greater than six years, indicating that long-term monitoring is necessary to assess restoration success. The rate of ecosystem development appeared to be determined by the efficiencies of larval recruitment and adult access to the site.