Spatial Distribution of Macrobenthic Communities in Relation to Environmental Conditions on the Intertidal and Subtidal of Bushehr Coasts

The spatial distribution of the macrobenthos community was studied along the Iranian coasts of Persian Gulf of Bushehr province. Samples were collected with van Veen grab from intertidal (0 m) and subtidal (depths 5 m and 10 m) zones at 16 stations determined in 6 transects, including 4 harbors (Genaveh, Bandargah, Rostami and Asaluyeh) and 2 creeks (Farakeh and Shif). A total of 17 groups (taxa) of macrobenthos were identified during research so that the most dominant assemblages belonged to Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda and miscellaneous groups, respectively. The average density (abundance) of macrofauna in depth*station ranged from 450 to 4380 ind/m2 and the average biomass (wet) ranged from 9 to 165 g/m2, also. Highest value of density and biomass were observed at 10 m and intertidal depths, respectively. Generally, the environmental parameters such as water depth, transect, sediments texture and organic matter found to influence the biological indices (density and biomass), ecological indices (diversity and richness) and structure distribution pattern of macroinvertebrates. In conclusion with increase depth and soft sediment was showed high density and decrease biomass. Also, density and biomass varied significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) which could be correlated with combination of different factors such as depth, transect, sediment characteristics, hydrodynamic conditions and marine pollution.