Experimental Analysis of Processes Between Species on Marine Tidal Flats

Abstract

Prior to 1873, an average of 4.6 million oysters was caught annually on the natural beds around the island of Sylt in the North Sea. Since then, the rich populations have dwindled away, and in 1882 the catch was less than 0.5 million. Karl Möbius from Kiel University was called to investigate these state-owned oyster beds, and to give advice on how to regain the former profits. Möbius concluded that overexploitation had severely decimated the spawning stock. Thus, the amount of oyster spat settling on the beds was insufficient to cope successfully with natural hazards, such as shifting sands, overgrowth by mussels, and predation by crabs and starfish.