I want to analyze the relationships between environmental heterogeneity and complexity with the infaunal structure and distribution. My study area is an intertidal sand flat with mixed types of biogenic and abiotic structures, like shells, small rocks, algae, worm tubes and small vascular plants. Does anybody knows what is the best way to measure the small scale environmental complexity and heterogeneity in such environments?
There are a variety of information on sampling in the Web (infauna-North sea). But you should be more explicit in the main question. The concepts of heterogeneity and complexity especially, remain a constant source of discussion.
Hi, some of below works which may relate to your work
• Pieter J.C. Honkoop , Grant B. Pearson , Marc S.S. Lavaleye , Theunis Piersma (2006). Spatial variation of the intertidal sediments and macrozoo-benthic assemblages along Eighty-mile Beach, North-western Australia. Journal of Sea Research 55; 278– 291.
• Compton T J, Troost Tineke A., Van Der Meer Jaap, and coKraan Casper, Honkoop Pieter J. C., Rogers Danny I., Pearson Grant B., De Goeij Petra, Bocher Pierrick, Lavaleye Marc S. S., Leyrer Jutta, Yates Mick G., Dekinga Anne, Piersma Theunis (2008) Distributional overlap rather than habitat differentiation characterizes co-occurrence of bivalves in intertidal soft sediment systems. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 373, 25-35.
• Azra Meadows, Peter S. Meadows and Pat McLaughlin (1998). Spatial heterogeneity in an intertidal sedimentary environment and its macrobenthic community Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 139:367-388, doi:10.1144/GSL.SP; 139.01.28
• Manino, A., and Montagna, P.A., (1997). Small-scale spatialvariation of macrobenthic community structure. Estuaries, 20, 159-173.
This reference may be of some help to you.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/244na3.pdf
There is a vast wealth of information on this topic.
It will come down to the heterogeneity of your system. I suggest you go out and do a pilot study on out study area to get an handle of the levels of variation you might find on your benthic community.
Boa sorte!
Jose Alves, D. Bhattacharjee, Naidu and Luis de Sola,
Thank you for the suggestions!
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