Relationships between benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and habitat types in nearshore marine and estuarine waters along the lower west coast of Australia

摘要: The following four broad aims were addressed in this study. (1) To ascertain whether the characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages within different nearshore marine habitat types identified by Valesini et al. (2003) on lower west coast Australia differ significantly, and pattern those spatial differences matches among environmental that used to distinguish types; (2) develop a quantitative approach for classifying habitats estuarine waters employs readily-available data range enduring characteristics, use classify various present Swan-Canning Estuary Australia; (3) test hypothesis significantly types, (4) that, as result changes Estuary, at estuary 1986/7 from 2003/4. address first aim, macroinvertebrates sampled seasonally one year subtidal intertidal zone (upper swash zones) six Australia. which differed mainly extent their exposure wave activity seagrass and/or reefs present, had been distinguished quantitatively using values suite seven statistically-selected characteristics. faunal samples yielded total 121 species representing eight phyla, Polychaeta, Malacostraca Bivalvia most speciose classes contributed ~ 38, 23 10%, respectively, i number individuals. mean density was far greater protected type (1), also contained dense beds seagrass, than any other type, i.e. 70 209.2 individuals 0.1 m, compared 32 36.9 m exposed (6), substrate comprised only sand. Differences influenced composition either zones or seasons. Significantly compositions detected latter two factors type. assemblage 1 clearly distinct five particularly (R-statistics=0.642-0.831, p=0.1%), typified abundant polychaete adapted deposit-feeding. In contrast, fauna 6 crustacean bivalve polychaete, whose mobility tough external surface facilitated survival feeding turbulent waters. extents matched with case (Rho=0.676). Such results indicated variables could be reliably predict likely occur site along above biological validation classification scheme developed provided justification second aim study, namely Estuary. This similar employed it considers