Benthic infaunal composition and distribution at an intertidal wetland mudflat

Abstract

Benthic infaunal communities at Mai Po Inner Deep Bay mudflat, Hong Kong were investigated between August 2002 and August 2003. A total of 55 species belonging to 8 Phyla from more than 99,074 specimens were recorded. The species richness varied between 13 at Station B in August 2002 and 28 at Station D in August 2003 with an average of 21 across the mudflat and the species diversity was low [H′(log 2) = 0.7-3.5 with an average H′ = 2.4]. Seasonal variations were also observed through abundance and biomass across the mudflat among the seasons. The abundance density was between 8,977 individuals m -2 at Station D in February 2003 and 77,256 individuals m -2 at Station B in November 2002 and the overall average density was 25,274 individuals m -2 for the four stations. The benthic infauna were dominated by pollution tolerant species at this wetland mudflat. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006.