Distribution of intertidal macrobenthic assemblages in relation to environmental factors in the Tagus estuary, western Portugal

摘要: Fourteen intertidal sites from the eastern mid-region of Tagus estuary were considered in order to study their macrobenthic assemblages relation environmental factors. The salinity gradient was displayed an ordination by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). However, not found be a significant factor explain distribution assemblages. Conversely, lateral characterized three clusters identified outer, intermediate and inner location also related organic matter content, oxygen concentration redox potential values. Although hydrodynamic investigated it is thought important for characterizing gradient. As general trend, there transition between groups lower towards upstream locations. polychaetes Lanice conchilega Hediste diversicolor gastropod Hydrobia ulvae characteristic species sites, respectively. It concluded that main driver explains when find factor.