Monthly monitoring data between 2013 and 2018 are used to investigate and document the recovery of the hyperbenthic community in the Sea Scheldt, the Belgian part of the Scheldt estuary after a long-lasting state of hypoxia, and to identify ecological drivers of the current community. Hyperbenthos was present in all studied salinity zones and was taxonomically dominated by juvenile fish, Amphipoda, mysids and decapod shrimps. Species richness and guild diversity were comparable to that of other European estuaries. Variation in community composition was primarily governed by salinity zone and seasonality. In addition, hyperbenthos densities related negatively to recent river discharge, likely through flush effects or marinisation. Hyperbenthos abundance was positively affected by particulate organic matter density and was higher near neap tide. Seasonal migrations and changes in age and size distributions illustrate that the upper Scheldt estuary resumed its functions as spawning, nursery and feeding area. Given the observed rapid recolonization, we speculate that estuarine resident taxa may have persisted in refuges within the estuary from which recolonization could occur. Evidence is given of the contribution of the freshwater tidal zone to the estuarine food production and biodiversity maintenance functions, justifying maintenance and restoration of these rare habitats.

在长期缺氧状态下，2013年至2018年之间的月度监测数据用于调查和记录海席尔德（Scheldt河口的比利时部分）高底栖动物群落的恢复情况，并确定当前群落的生态驱动力。高底栖动物存在于所有研究的盐度区，在分类学上主要由幼鱼，两栖类，象鼻类和十足类虾组成。物种丰富度和行会多样性可与其他欧洲河口媲美。社区组成的变化主要受盐度区和季节的影响。此外，高底栖动物的密度与最近的河水排放负相关，可能是通过冲洗作用或腌制作用。高底栖动物的丰度受到颗粒有机物密度的积极影响，并且在近潮时较高。季节性迁徙以及年龄和大小分布的变化说明，Scheldt上河口恢复了其产卵，育苗和觅食区域的功能。鉴于观察到的快速重新定殖，我们推测河口居民分类群可能一直存在于可能发生重新定殖的河口内的避难所中。有证据表明淡水潮汐带对河口粮食生产和生物多样性的维持功能作出了贡献，证明了这些稀有生境的维持和恢复是合理的。我们推测，河口居民分类群可能在河口内的避难所中持续存在，从而可能发生重新定殖。有证据表明淡水潮汐带对河口粮食生产和生物多样性的维持功能作出了贡献，证明了这些稀有生境的维持和恢复是合理的。我们推测，河口居民分类群可能在河口内的避难所中持续存在，从而可能发生重新定殖。有证据表明淡水潮汐带对河口粮食生产和生物多样性的维持功能作出了贡献，证明了这些稀有生境的维持和恢复是合理的。