The structural dynamics of a tidal flat mollusc community

A transect survey of the tidal flat mollusc community in the coastal Pipe Clay Lagoon, south-eastern Tasmania, was conducted over four seasons. The survey was conducted along a 700m transect running down the tidal gradient from EHWS to MLW. In each season a 'distribution' transect was conducted with single quadrat (0.25 m x 0.25 m) samples being taken down to the anoxic layer every 20 m. At the same time a 'dispersion' transect was taken; every 100m a grid (0.5 m x 0.5 m) consisting 8 x 8 cells was sampled down to the anoxic layer. A number of physical variables were also measured.