d. strongmstrong. p. - int-res.com.pdfVIP

MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published April 30 Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. Benthic infauna and organism-sediment relations in a shallow, tropical coastal area: influence of outwelled mangrove detritus and physical disturbance D. M. Alongi, P. Christoffersen Australian Institute of Marine Science. PMB No. 3, Townsville M.C., Queensland 4810, Australia ABSTRACT: Sediment infauna and sedimentary structures within the shallow ( S 15 m depth) inshore of the central Great Barrier Reef lagoon were examined seasonally for 1 yr to relate benthic fauna1 abundance, community composition and biogenic activity to outwelling of mangrove detritus and natural physical disturbance. Standing amounts of mangrove litter exceeded 4000 g dry weight (DW) m2 in a semi-enclosed area and declined to 3.5 g DW m- at the inshore-middle shelf boundary. Macroinfaunal densities (mean = 1452; range = 308 to 3950 ind.m-2)and biomass (ash-free dry weight = 0.17 to 6.31 g m-2) varied greatly among sites and seasons, with densities correlating negatively with detritus standing stocks; biomass did not relate to outwelling. Total meiofaunal densities (mean = 715; range = 295 to 1568 ind.10cm-*)varied significantly among sites and seasons, but only turbellarians correlated positively to standing amounts of mangrove litter. Classification and ordination of nematode communities separated stations mainly on th