Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-03T19:20:45.054Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The structure and taxonomic composition of sublittoral meiofauna assemblages as an indicator of the status of marine environments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2001

M. Schratzberger ,
J.M. Gee ,
H.L. Rees ,
S.E. Boyd  and
C.M. Wall
M. Schratzberger
Affiliation:
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HA, UK
J.M. Gee
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3DH, UK
H.L. Rees
Affiliation:
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HA, UK
S.E. Boyd
Affiliation:
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HA, UK
C.M. Wall
Affiliation:
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HA, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A study was conducted between 1997 and 1999 to investigate meiofauna assemblages from selected inshore and offshore locations around the UK coast. The main objective was to relate the differences in meiofauna distribution patterns to a number of measured environmental variables and to establish more clearly the sensitivity of meiofauna communities to anthropogenic disturbance. Results from univariate and multivariate data analyses show that distinct spatial differences in species distribution patterns exist and that these correlate with the natural physical characteristics and concentrations of trace metals in the sediment. Abundance and diversity of meiofauna assemblages were generally higher offshore than inshore and this difference can be attributed to both natural processes and anthropogenic impacts. The inclusion of meiofauna in applied monitoring programmes offers the potential for improving the resolution of the spatial extent of anthropogenic impacts over that achievable from macrofauna investigations alone.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 80 , Issue 6 , December 2000 , pp. 969 - 980
Copyright
© 2000 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)