Biodiv Sci ›› 2009, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (3): 303-309.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2009.08339

• Editorial • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Community pattern and diversity of macrozoobenthos in an intertidal flat, Jiaojiang Estuary

Yongqiang Zhao, Jiangning Zeng, Aigen Gao, Quanzhen Chen*(), Yibo Liao, Lu Shou   

  1. Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou 310012
  • Received:2008-12-22 Accepted:2009-03-30 Online:2009-05-20 Published:2009-05-20
  • Contact: Quanzhen Chen

Abstract:

In order to understand the community pattern and diversity of macrozoobenthos in an intertidal flat of the Jiaojiang Estuary, and to reveal the response of macrozoobenthos to environmental change, we designed six intertidal sampling transects along the banks of the Jiaojiang Estuary, in October 2007, January, April, and July 2008, respectively. Temporal and spatial variation of species composition, density, and biomass of macrozoobenthos were recorded and analyzed; furthermore, α, β and γ diversity indices were applied to measure the biodiversity of macrozoobenthos in the study area. The response of macrozoobenthos to environmental change was also studied. The main results were as follows: (1) A total of 78 macrozoobenthos species were recorded. There was a significant seasonal variation of macrozoobenthos species. Besides, the species number has an increasing trend from river to sea in both banks. (2) Macrozoobenthos density demonstrated insignificant seasonal variation but significant spatial variation, whereas biomass did not vary significantly both seasonally and spatially. (3) β and γ biodiversity indices showed that the environment was changable and the community pattern and biotope of macrozoobenthos were diversified.

Key words: estuary, benthos, environmental change, α-diversity, β-diversity, γ-diversity