68 



Comparing Casco Bay faunal densities with those from other 

 temperate and boreal areas demonstrates the comparative richness of the 

 region (Table 9 ). Such high density and biomass (see below) indicates 

 a high or extended period of productivity. Data on primary productivity 



Table 9. Mean density of invertebrates in unconsolidated sediments of 

 temperate and boreal inshore waters (modified from Maurer et 

 at. 1978) 



Location 



Mean Density/: 



Source 



Casco Bay, Maine 8,743 

 Sheepscot Estuary, Maine 



Gradient Study 4,928 



Shallow Water Study 771 



Mystic River, Massachusetts 3,000 



Moriches Bay, New York 1,300 



Delaware Bay 722 



False Bay, South Africa 2,200 



Gullmars Fjord, Sweden 4,198 



Lambert Bay, South Africa 1,153 



this study 



Larsen & Doggett (1978) 

 Larsen (1979) 

 Rowe et at. (1972) 

 O'Connor (1972) 

 Maurer et al . (1978) 

 Field, (1971) 

 Rosenberg (1973) 

 Christie (1976) 



of Casco Bay are presently being generated by other researchers at the 

 Bigelow Laboratory. These data may provide an explanation for the 

 observed faunal densities. 



