Spatial variability of macrobenthic zonation on exposed sandy beaches

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Puri Veiga (Author) Other; M Rubal (Author) FCUP; Eva Cacabelos (Author) Other; Cristina Maldonado (Author) Other; Isabel Sousa Pinto (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Sea Research

Vol. 90

Pages: 1-9

ISSN: 1385-1101

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

Scopus - 15 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-KFK

DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2014.02.009

Abstract (EN): We analysed the consistence of vertical patterns of distribution (i.e. zonation) for macrofauna at different spatial scales on four intermediate exposed beaches in the North of Portugal. We tested the hypothesis that biological zonation on exposed sandy beaches would vary at the studied spatial scales. For this aim, abundance, diversity and structure of macrobenthic assemblages were examined at the scales of transect and beach. Moreover, the main environmental factors that could potentially drive zonation patterns were investigated. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the number of biological zones ranged from two to three depending on the beach and from indistinct zonation to three zones at the scale of transect. Therefore, results support our working hypothesis because zonation patterns were not consistent at the studied spatial scales. The median particle size, sorting coefficient and water content were significantly correlated with zonation patterns of macrobenthic assemblages. However, a high degree of correlation was not reached when the total structure of the assemblage was considered.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9