Polychaete/amphipod ratios: An approach to validating simple benthic indicators

摘要: Among the macro-invertebrates used for assessment of soft-bottom communities, most polychaetes are classified as tolerant/opportunistic to pollution while amphipods considered sensitive. These taxa have been in several ecological indices, such simple abundance ratio between Polychaeta and Amphipoda or Benthic Opportunist Annelids Amphipods (BO2A) index, assess Ecological Quality Status -EcoQs- communities. In terms Taxonomic Sufficiency (TS), polychaete/amphipod (i.e. at level class/order) has proved be effective identifying major changes benthic communities following disturbances. However, an underlying issue is acceptable TS limit value needed state accurately quality environment. We tested three indices using 18 series observations carried out five north-eastern Atlantic Mediterranean zones impacted by oil spills, gas production, brine urban sewage, harbours aquaculture farms within control areas. Similar results BO2A were obtained when limiting Polychaete opportunistic families, which required a lower degree taxonomic expertise, classifying all sensitive taxa. way that EcoQs given BPOFA (Benthic Opportunistic Families Amphipods) was very similar those Amphipods).