LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SHORE ARRANGEMENTS ON FINE-SAND MACROFAUNA AT 2 STATIONS OF PRADOS BAY (NORTH-WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA - GULF OF MARSEILLES)

Authors
Citation
Hl. Masse, LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SHORE ARRANGEMENTS ON FINE-SAND MACROFAUNA AT 2 STATIONS OF PRADOS BAY (NORTH-WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA - GULF OF MARSEILLES), Vie et milieu, 48(2), 1998, pp. 79-87
Citations number
27
Language
FRANCESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Ecology,"Marine & Freshwater Biology
Journal title
ISSN journal
0240-8759
Volume
48
Issue
2
Year of publication
1998
Pages
79 - 87
Database
ISI
SICI code
0240-8759(1998)48:2<79:LEOSAO>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Since 30 years, the macrofauna of subtidal fine sands has been affecte d by important shore arrangements, in the Prado bay (Marseille gulf, N orth-Western Mediterranean Sea). The perturbation is firstly related t o pier constructions and land reclaiming, and secondly to diversion of both sewage and freshwater effluents out of the bay. A comparison of quantitative sampling performed over a 30 year period, at 2-stations, showed that biodiversity was maintained even improved during that peri od, but that density and biomass were severely depressed. It is sugges ted that the improvement in the water quality of the bay has a positiv e effect on biodiversity, but that the drastic reduction of freshwater inputs has a negative effect on density and biomass levels of the mac robenthos. This last point leads to an increase in macrofauna instabil ity especially for bivalve populations.