Suitability of compensatory saltmarsh habitat for feeding and diet of multiple estuarine fish species

Abstract

Swadling et al., 2022). The importance of saltmarsh as a feeding habitat for juvenile fish is well illustrated by Laffaille et al. (2001) & Fonseca et al. (2011, who reported that on average 33%-38% of juvenile European Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) entering saltmarsh have empty stomachs, but only 2%-7% were empty when leaving.Similar results have also been reported for Thinlip Mullet (Chelon ramada) where it is estimated that in the brief 1-2 h tidal submersion of saltmarsh, they are capable of consuming 7%-8% of their total body weight (Laffaille et al., 2001).Despite estuaries providing important habitat for many fish species, they are often modified by anthropogenic activities (Airoldi