Ecosystem Services

Figure 22: Shallow, wave sheltered bays and inlets of the northern Baltic sea often consist of dense
underwater forests which provide shelter and food for many other organisms, and function as nursery
habitats for many coastal fish species – illustrated here by juvenile roach and angiosperms such as
Stuckenia pectinata, Potamogeton perfoliatus and Myriophyllum spp
Kilde:
Photo: Göran Sundblad (Holmöarna, Kvarken).
6.3.2 Primary production, food webs and nutrient cycling
Recent research shows that the primary production in shallow, vegetated bays and inlets
is considerably higher than previously known. Ask et al (2016) found that benthic
habitats, especially benthic microalgae but also microalgae and submerged rooted
plants, contributed to 31% of the total primary production of the Bothnian Bay, which
is three times higher than past estimates.
Primary production rates of vegetation in Baltic bays and inlets vary among species;
Potamogeton filiformis, P. perfoliatus, and Myriophyllum spicatum have maximum production
rates of 1–5 mg carbon (C) per g dry weight per hour, while Stuckenia pectinata,
Ruppia sp., Zannichellia sp. and Zostera marina produce below 2 mg C per g dry weight
per hour (Wallentinus 1979). Therefore, an important source of uncertainty is the con-
84 Ecosystem Services