The growth and dynamics of Ensis directus in the near-shore Dutch coastal zone of the North Sea

Here we present data on the wax and wane of a subtidal Ensis directus population which settled in 2009 off the coast of Egmond (North Holland Coast in The Netherlands). Initial densities decreased from a maximum of 700 m− 2 in early 2010 to about 50 m− 2 in June 2013. In this period the average length increased from ~ 4 cm to ~ 12 cm. In 2011–2012 the population was sampled at 3 to 6 week intervals and near bottom environmental conditions were...