Response of intertidal macrobenthic communities to long term human induced chan...

• Author(s): Paz, L. de ; Neto, J. M. ; Marques, J. C. ; Laborda, A. J.
• Date: 2008
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10316/5287
• Origin: Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra
• Subject(s): Benthos; Long-term; Shellfish culture; Ecosystem disturbance; Environmental impact; Eo estuary; Cantabric sea
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Long term macrobenthos data together with physical habitat parameters were analysed to investigate spatial and temporal changes at an estuary under different anthropogenic pressures, mainly increasing shellfish farming. The aim was to assess the possible impacts of these pressures on the macrobenthic communities by comparing a period before and after changes in these pressures. Benthic samples were seasonally collected in 1990 (before major anthropogenic changes), 2000 and 2005 at the same sampling stations located on three different habitats in the Eo estuary (Northern Spanish coast). Multivariate and univariate methods were used to assess spatial variability of benthic assemblages and to compare community changes over time. Data from 1990 was assumed as the reference situation to appraise the subsequent impacts. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V7H-4SF3057-1/1/23044ef22163b05cae2a3d3f3262b965