Assessing the environment-benthic fauna coupling in protected and urban areas of southern Brazil

摘要: Abstract Growing urbanization adjacent to aquatic systems may alter water, sediment and benthic community interactions. The ecological effects of on regional, local site-specific spatial variations macrofauna water properties were investigated in relatively pristine rivers urban southern Brazil. communities found be different urbanized protected areas. Their predominant responses environmental conditions characterized as either a: (i) sensitive species assemblage, formed by polychaetes Nephtys fluviatilis Heteromastus similis the crustacean Kalliapseudes schubarti; or a (ii) tolerant polychaete Laeonereis acuta an unidentified oligochaeta Tubificidae. relationships between fauna environment differed rivers. In areas distribution was directly related grain sorting phaeophytin sediments; chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen phosphorus water. sites strongest determinants presence lead, copper, phosphorus, sediments, suspended particulate matter, nitrogen, silicate comparison animal–sediment–water interaction natural can useful planning impact mitigation strategies for conservation even estuaries with non-point sources pollution.