Community structure and production of the benthic macro-infauna of Southampton Water

Abstract

The study area covers some 600 hectares of the sublittoral zone of the industrialized region of Southampton Water. The sublittoral benthic macro-infauna was sampled in May 1978 and repeated in May 1979. Four selected stations were sampled bimonthly between July 1978 and March 1980. Physico-chemical and biological parameters affecting the community structure in the area were discussed. Seasonal changes in the parameters were followed to assess factors affecting the distribution and abundance of major faunal species.Polychaetes were numerically dominant, Caulleriella being dominant on the eastern side and the mouth of the estuary and Capitella on the western side. Diversity and faunal indices measured showed the community to be unstable. The number of species at all selected stations declined throughout the study. The life cycle of some dominant species were investigated. Many of the species bred throughout the year with peak recruitments in summer. Their life cycle and those of related species elsewhere are discussed. Biomass and secondary production estimates were calculated for eighteen species. Mercenaria emerged as the most productive and biomass dominant species. Total macro-faunal production is compared with other studies. The community of the study area compares well with a typical Macoma community with Mercenaria and Crepidula replacing Macoma balthica. The study area is a physically controlled community, with greater stress on the western side. The effects of pollutants such as hydrocarbon and sediment metals on the community are discussed.

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