The response of nematode assemblages to intensive mussel farming in coastal sediments (Southern Brazil)

摘要: The impact of mussel farms on the benthic environment was investigated using free-living nematode assemblages as indicators environmental condition Enseada do Brito, a shallow embayment in South Brazil. studied area is located at State Santa Catarina, responsible for 90% production farmed country. Samplings were carried out quarterly, from July 2004 to May 2005, below ropes and control sites 300 m apart longlines. results suggested that culture changed ecological functioning coastal embayment. intense organic loads due biodeposition farms, which had been more than 10 years, have turned fine well-sorted sand bottoms into muddy deposit with significantly higher total content control. number genera, diversity, dominance trophic diversity lower under sites. also affected temporal variability assemblages, detected only samples low depth energy, together age probably observed changes assemblages.