Indices, multispecies and synthesis descriptors in benthic assessments: Intertidal organic enrichment from oyster farming

摘要: Intertidal off-bottom oyster culture is shown to cause organic enrichment of the shore and although there are two stressors interest (the presence a structure, trestles, also sediment waste from oysters), these can be separated their relative impacts determined using an appropriate nested experimental design data treatments. Although no artificial food sources involved, oysters feeding activity intensity enhances biodeposition significantly increases fines content total matter. This in general impoverished benthic community areas rather than species succession with installation opportunists or resulting increase abundance biomass species; findings direct consequence intertidal situation which less-amenable recruitment more common subtidal environment. Thus most biological descriptors diagnose effects associated were multispecies as well primary variables richness abundance. The however spatially statistically confined area located directly underneath bags compared corridors between do not show such effects. Synthesis biotic indices much less effective alterations this enrichment. These results that special attention must paid when where induces impoverishment but necessarily replacement opportunists.