Articles | Volume 23, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7129-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7129-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
12 Oct 2026
Research article |
| 12 Oct 2026
| 12 Oct 2026
Linking marine benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functions related to carbon cycling in a continental mud depocenter
Chueh-Chen Tung
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Benthic Ecology, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
Moritz Holtappels
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Benthic Ecology, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
Alexa Wrede
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Shelf Sea System Ecology, Am Binnenhafen 1117, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Coastal Ecology, Wadden Sea Station, Coastal Ecology, Hafenstrasse 43, 25992 List Auf Sylt, Germany
Male Köster
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Marine Geochemistry, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
Lasse Sander
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Coastal Ecology, Wadden Sea Station, Coastal Ecology, Hafenstrasse 43, 25992 List Auf Sylt, Germany
Jan Beermann
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Benthic Ecology, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
Vera Sidorenko
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Coastal Ecology, Wadden Sea Station, Coastal Ecology, Hafenstrasse 43, 25992 List Auf Sylt, Germany
Lars Gutow
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Benthic Ecology, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
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Short summary
Using 171 taxa from 50 stations in the southeastern North Sea, we show that environmental gradients structure benthic macrofaunal communities and their traits. Deeper communities had higher bioturbation and bioirrigation, whereas shallow communities showed greater respiration and secondary production. Environmental gradients also shifted biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, highlighting macrofaunal control of carbon sequestration–related processes in shelf sea sediments.
Using 171 taxa from 50 stations in the southeastern North Sea, we show that environmental...
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