A Functional Analysis of the Benthic Macrofauna of the São Sebastião Channel (Southeastern Brazil)

Abstract

The major problem in coastal areas of developing countries is disturbance caused by anthropogenic influence. This disturbance can be quantified by analysing the distribution and composition of marine communities using uni-and multivariate techniques and the biotic index. A study of benthic macrofauna was carried out along the São Sebastião Channel, northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil, in an area with a submarine outfall, a petroleum terminal and a commercial harbour. Sampling was undertaken seasonally, by means of a van Veen grab (0.1 m 2 ) at 15 oceanographic stations, from November 1993 to August 1994. A total of 392 species were identified (129 Polychaeta, 127 Mollusca, 98 Crustacea, 28 Echinodermata and 10 other phyla). The sedimentary pattern recorded for the São Sebastião Channel is very heterogeneous, influenced mainly by strong wind-driven currents, and differs from nearby shelf areas. The study area could be divided into three regions based on sediment texture and fauna: one region dominated by medium and coarse sand with low values of organic carbon; a second area where pelitic fractions were dominant with high values of organic carbon and nitrogen; and a third region characterised by fine and very fine sand, presenting intermediate organic carbon values. No temporal significant variation in abundance and species composition was found, except in autumn. The use of the Ômarine Biotic CoefficientÕ showed the same ecological trend as the faunal abundance and demonstrated that the central continental region of the channel is affected by human activities.

Performance comparison of biotic indices measuring the ecological status base on soft-bottom macroinvertebrates: a study along the shallow Gomishan lagoon (Southeast Caspian Sea)

“…This index has been tested successfully worldwide over recent years (CAI et al, 2003;ARASAKI et al, 2004;MUNIZ et al, 2005;AFLI et al, 2008;BIGOT et al, 2008;CALLIER et al, 2008;JOSEFSON et al, 2009;BAKALEM et al, 2009;TUNBERG, 2011). The classification of the identified species was based on the updated list of the AMBI program (available on AZTI´s web page: http://www.azti.es).…”

Spatial pattern of benthic macrofauna in a sub tropical shelf, Sao Sebastiao Channel, southeastern Brazil

“…A functional analysis carried out recently using the AZTI's Marine Biotic Index highlighted the relationship between faunal abundance and human activity in the area (Arasaki et al, 2004). However, a study about species diversity and distribution patterns of the assemblages is still lacking.…”

“…De este total, 23 especies fueron las más abundantes y frecuentes. Las estaciones fueron clasificadas según el sedimento en tres grupos de acuerdo con Arasaki et al (2004). El grupo de estaciones caracterizado por sedimentos finos presentó significativamente menos especies que los otros dos grupos.…”

“…Twenty three species were most numerous and frequent and comprised the baseline pool for the area. Sites were classified with respect to sediments in three site-groupings according to Arasaki et al (2004). The finest-sediment site-group had significantly fewer species than coarser site-groups.…”

Bivalves of the São Sebastião Channel, north coast of the São Paulo state, Brazil

“…New information is essential to planning and can draw attention to the preservation and sustainability of this delicate natural heritage in São Paulo State (Arasaki et al 2004;Amaral et al 2010;Teodoro et al 2010).…”