Elemental stoichiometry of benthic invertebrates as predictor of biogeochemical cycles

What is the role of benthic faunal carbon and nutrient pools in the coastal ecosystem? This project will provide new information regarding stoichiometric and allometric traits of important benthic species to test and expand principles of ecological stoichiometry and metabolic scaling theories. The results will be used to estimate the consequences of human-induced imbalances in C:N:P ratios for benthic nutrient turnover rates in the coastal zone.

The project investigate the role of macrofauna (animals living on the seafloor) for carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus storage and recycling. How does it vary between species, between different types of seafloor habitats (for example sand vs. mud) and how does it vary during different times of the year?