The Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, is an area of over 10000 km2 of shallow
water and tidal flats between the Sahara and the upwelling system off
the Mauritanian coast. The results of the Dutch-Mauritanian project '
Banc d'Arguin 1988' as well as the relevant literature are reviewed in
order to develop a preliminary conceptual model of the functioning of
this ecosystem. Hydrographically the Banc d'Arguin can be characteriz
ed as a large-scale negative estuary with higher salinities near the s
hore. It is concluded that ultimately the Banc d'Arguin ecosystem is f
ueled by nutrients and organic matter derived from the upwelling area.
The inner part of the Banc d'Arguin system is dominated by a detritus
-based benthic foodweb in which seagrasses are the principal primary p
roducers. Little of the seagrass production seems to be exported to ot
her parts of the system or other areas. Zooplankton and zoobenthos bio
masses are relatively low, but nevertheless support high densities of
consumers. Aquatic birds are especially numerous. The study identifies
many research topics for the future.