Patterns of bottom environments and macrobenthos communities along the depth gradient in the bathyal zone off sanriku,Northwestern Pacific

Quantitative samples of sediments and macrobenthos were collected with a spade corer to reveal the relationships between macrobenthos communities and bottom environments. Twenty-five stations were established along a transect in the lower sublittoral and bathyal zones between the depths of 120 m and 2,600 m off Sanriku, the northeastern coast of the Japanese mainland, Northwestern Pacific.These stations were clustered into two groups on the basis of the principal component analysis of environmental factors and topographic features of the study area. The clustering of stations corresponded to that based on polychaete species composition.The biomass of macrobenthos followed two different patterns in two oceanographic environments; the first trend is found from the shelf to the seaward margin of the deep-sea terrace where macrobenthos biomass did not depend on depth, and the second trend on the lower continental slope, where biomass decreased exponentially with depth as Rowe's formula predicted. The density of macrobenthos showed a simple exponential decrease with depth over the two ecological zones. The data of stable carbon isotope ratio of organic matter in the sediments and topographic features suggested that the pattern of the biomass of macrobenthos corresponded with two different modes of food supply to the deep-sea bottom communities,i.e., vertical transport of the surface products and horizontal transport of food materials.     

Multi-Annual Variations of Macrobenthos along the Emilia-Romagna Coast (Northern Adriatic)

Abstract. A three-year set of data from six stations is analysed in order to monitor the environmental quality by use of macrobenthos in addition to chemical data. The communities differ along the depth gradient and no seasonal cycle is evident. Stronger temporal differences in community composition are evident when examining a four-year cycle at one of the stations in connection with an improvement of environmental parameters.     

Biodiversity and seasonal variation of benthic macrofauna in Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, India

From the Indian coast only limited data are available on the benthic fauna of the seagrass communities. In this study, seasonal variation in the distribution of macrobenthos and influence of environmental parameters was explored at four seagrass beds and two mangrove stations along the Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, India, from September 1999 to August 2001. A total of 160 macrobenthic species from eight major groups represented the macrofauna of the Minicoy Island. Of the identified taxa, molluscs 70（gastropods 41.46%, bivalves 7.5%）, polychaetes 27（16.88%）, crustaceans 30（18.75%）, echinoderms 11（6.88%） and remaining others. Average seasonal abundance of benthic macrofauna ranged from 219 to 711 ind./m2, species diversity varied from 1.45 to 3.64 bits per individual, species richness index ranged from 4.01 to 26.17, evenness 0.69 to 1.66. In general, the higher abundance and species diversity was noticed in southern seagrass stations and northern seagrass stations, but in the mangrove stations comparatively low species diversity was observed. Three-way analysis of variance indicated that all communities resulted as being significantly different between seagrass and mangrove station, mainly when the seasonal interaction was considered. Multivariate analyses were employed to help define benthic characteristic and the relationship between environmental parameters at the six monitoring stations. Results of cluster analyses and multidimensional scale plot suggest that for mangrove region, different physiographic provinces, lower salinity, dissolved oxygen and sediment biotic structure have a higher influence on the species composition and diversity than other oceanographic conditions.     

胶州湾红石崖潮间带大型底栖动物群落生态学研究

根据2003年8月至2004年5月(夏、秋、冬、春季)4个季度月,对位于胶州湾内红石崖潮间带的高潮带(H1站)、中潮带(H2站)、和低潮带(H3站)所设的3个站进行了综合生态调查并分析所获的资料。结果表明,红石崖潮间带大型底栖动物的总平均栖息密度、总平均生物量和总种数分别为718.67个/m2、123.21g/m2和62种。平均密度、平均生物量和种数在高潮带分别是1765.5个/m2、342.53g/m2和12种;中潮带分别是248个/m2、11.31g/m2和35种;低潮带分别是142.5个/m2、15.74g/m2和44种。3个潮带的平均密度(D):大小顺序为DH1>DH2>DH3,平均生物量(B):BH1>BH3>BH2;种数(S):SH3>SH2>SH1。定性采集在3个潮区共采到大型底栖动物44种,其中有27种在定量采集中没采到,3个潮带共采到大型底栖动物89种。     

夏季南海东北部和东海陆架浮游植物群落结构昼夜变化的比较研究

于2008年和2009年夏季分别对南海东北部和东海陆架区浮游植物生物量和群落结构的昼夜变化进行了24 h时间序列连续观测和研究。通过高效液相色谱法分析浮游植物特征光合色素可以看出3个测站的叶绿素a浓度均呈现出明显的昼夜变化,最高值出现在夜间,而在中午至午后达到最低值,而这种昼夜变化主要是由于光照和潮汐作用所导致。各站均以硅藻为最主要的优势类群,受上升流影响的S702站硅藻生物量超过80%,S305和DH04站硅藻也占据了35%~50%,且3个测站硅藻生物量昼夜变化与叶绿素a一致,但所占生物量百分比却在叶绿素a高值的时间段较低,表明高生物量对应着更为丰富的浮游植物类群组成多样性。除硅藻外,S305站青绿藻也表现出与叶绿素a同步的昼夜变化规律。而在东海DH04站,由于存在明显层化特征,聚球藻是上混合层的主要优势类群,且表现出与叶绿素a一致的变化。黎明前后,甲藻出现了暴发式的生物量升高,所占生物量超过30%,由于其昼夜变化并不明显,分析可能由于水团的侧向输送所致。     

Biodiversity and community structural characteristics of macrobenthos in the Chukchi Sea

Field sampling of the macrobenthos from 23 stations in the Chukchi Sea was conducted during the 4th CHINARE(Chinese National Arctic Research Expeditions, July–August, 2010). We identified a total of 140 species of macrozoobenthos belonging to nine phyla, which were dominated by polychaetes(66), crustaceans(30), and mollusks(25), followed by echinoderms(9) and others(ten others, including four cnidarians, one oligochaete, one sipuncula, one priapulida, two bryozoans, and one urochordata). The dominant species were Aphelochaeta pacifica, Heteromastus filiformis, Nephtys ciliata, Nephtys caeca, Scoletoma fragilis, Golfingia margaritacea, Nuculana pernula, Macoma calcarea, Ennucula tenuis, Macoma inquinata, Musculus discors, Echinarachnius parma, and Ophiura sarsii, so there were more cold-eurythermal boreal immigrants than truly Arctic species(endemics). The average density and biomass(mean ± SD across all stations) of the total macrozoobenthos were(916 ± 907) ind/m2 and(902.9 ± 1 227.7) g/m2(wet weight), respectively. Relatively high density and biomass were observed in the samples from the northeastern and southern Chukchi Sea. The spatial variation of benthic communities in the study sea area was relatively large; this spatial heterogeneity has led to high diversity and a patchy distribution pattern in the community structure. Compared to the 1st CHINARE( July–August, 1999), this investigation revealed different degrees of decreases in the average taxa numbers and the average density, abundance, and biodiversity in the area over the recent decade, which might be associated with global warming, human activities, and sea ice variations.     

Long-Term Variations of Potential Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen of the Japan Sea Proper Water

Observed potential temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen are analyzed to elucidate their variations during the period from 1958 to 1996 at Stn. P (37°43′ N, 134°43′ E) and from 1965 to 1996 at Stn. H (40°30′ N, 137°40′ E) in the Japan Sea. At Stn. P, increases of the potential temperature for the period are found below 800 m depth with the largest value of 0.16 ± 0.09°C per century at 800 m depth. At Stn. H, the potential temperature increased below 500 m depth. The increase rate has the largest value of 0.50 ± 0.18°C per century at 500 m depth and it is 0.30 ± 0.09°C per century at 800 m depth. The concentrations of dissolved oxygen increased around 800 m depth at Stn. P. At Stn. H, they increased above 800 m depth. On the other hand, they decreased below 1200 m depth at both stations. The layer of the dissolved oxygen minimum has deepened in these decades. These features appearing in the distributions of temperature and dissolved oxygen are successively simulated by a vertical one-dimensional advection-diffusion model including consumption of dissolved oxygen and termination of the deep water supply. These results suggest that the supply of the Japan Sea Proper Water into the deep layer, which is cold and rich in dissolved oxygen, has been decreasing for the last four decades. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seasonal succession in the diatom community of Sendai Bay,northern Japan,following the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake

Sendai Bay in northern Japan suffered serious damage from massive tsunamis generated by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake. The physical disturbance caused by a tsunami may affect the coastal ecosystem, including the planktonic diatom community. We investigated seasonal changes in the diatom community structure at a coastal and an offshore station in Sendai Bay, from June 2011 (3 months after the tsunami) to April 2014. Diatom abundance increased at both stations during the spring. Sporadic increases were also recorded at the coastal station during the summer because of silicate input from river discharge. Seasonal succession of the diatom communities was similar at both the coastal and offshore stations. The onset of the spring bloom consisted mainly of Chaetoceros spp. when water temperatures were low. Subsequently, species such as Skeletonema costatum s.l. became dominant as salinity and nutrient concentrations decreased. Cell density decreased from summer into early winter. Leptocylindrus danicus became dominant in the summer, but was replaced by Thalassiosira cf. mala from autumn into winter. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that most of the variation in the diatom community could be explained by temperature, salinity, NO₃ ^?, NO₂ ^?, PO₄ ^3?, and SiO₂. In addition, the occurrence of diatom species before the tsunami showed a similar pattern to that after the tsunami, suggesting that the tsunami did not have a serious impact on the diatom community in Sendai Bay.     

Sea level variations along the south coast of Japan and the large meander in the Kuroshio

Sea level variations from 1974 through 1976 at 9 stations on the south coast of Japan (from west to east, Aburatsu, Tosa-shimizu, Muroto-misaki, Kushimoto, Uragami, Owase, Toba, Maisaka and Omaezaki) were analysed in relation to the large meander in the Kuroshio. From May to July in 1975, a small maximum in sea level variation was observed at every station west of Cape Shionomisaki from Aburatsu to Kushimoto. It propagated eastward along with the eastward propagation of a small meander in the Kuroshio until it reached Kushimoto, when the sea levels at Uragami and Owase started to rise sharply. This remarkable rise appeared at all stations in August when a large meander in the Kuroshio was established. The mean sea level at the stations east of Cape Shionomisaki from Uragami to Omaezaki rose by about 10 cm. The difference in sea level variations between the regions east and west of Cape Shionomisaki, which had been present before the rise, disappeared. A similar characteristic of sea level variation was also found in the generation stage of the large meander in 1959. The sea level variations along the south coast of Japan indicate that, prior to the generation of the large meander, the small meander in the Kuroshio was generated southeast of Kyushu and propagated eastward and that, just when this meander reached off Cape Shionomisaki, a large scale oceanic event covering over the whole region of the south coast of Japan occurred. This large scale event seems to be one of the necessary conditions for the generation of the large meander in the Kuroshio off Enshû-nada.     

兴化湾大型底栖生物生态研究

兴化湾大型底栖生物已鉴定有314种,平均生物量为36.60g/m2,平均栖息密度为162个/m2.按Bray-Curtis相似性指数和多维排序尺度可划分为4个群落.应用丰度生物量比较法(ABC)和种类个体几何级数显示群落结构相对稳定.     

Marine environmental quality assessment using polychaete taxocene characteristics in Vancouver Harbour

Polychaete taxocene characteristics from seven stations in Vancouver Harbour obtained during the PICES Practical Workshop are presented. Thirty families and 79 polychaete species were identified. Polychaete density ranged from 194.0 individuals m(-2) in Port Moody Arm to 846.0 individuals m(-2) in the Central Harbour, with a mean abundance over the seven stations of 428.9 individuals m(-2). Biomass varied from 3.0 g wet wt. m(-2) to 28.5 g wet wt. m(-2), with a mean biomass for the seven stations of 12.9 g wet wt. m(-2). High species diversity and richness of polychaete taxocene were observed at two stations, the West Vancouver Laboratory in the Outer Harbour and at a far field reference station in Thornborough Cannel. Sediment quality assessment indicated severe adverse effects at two sites in Port Moody Arm, where high concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons and some trace metals were found. A limited number of species, dominance of pollution-tolerant Tharyx multifilis, and the lowest values of polychaete biomass and indices of richness and diversity were detected in Port Moody Arm. Rich species composition and domination of pollution-sensitive species provided evidence of unstressed communities at the far field reference station. Sites in the Outer Harbour, Central Harbour and Indian Arm were characterised by intermediate pollutant exposure.     

Space and time variations in zooplankton distribution south of Marseilles

The mesozooplankton distribution in the upper water layer (up to 200 m) off Marseilles (NW Mediterranean Sea) was studied during 22 cruises performed between March 1992 and February 1995. Four stations (M1, M3, M5 and M7) were investigated along a coast-open sea transect. Spatial and seasonal variations of zooplankton were described using different quantitative parameters: biomass (dry weight, carbon, nitrogen), displacement volume (biovolurne) and abundance of total organisms. C/N ratio, dry weight per individual and volume per individual were also calculated. The seasonal quantitative variations occurring at the four stations were not well synchronized. Annual maximum biomass was observed during spring and summer at M1 but only in early spring at the other stations. Abundance and biovolumes followed the same general pattern of variation. The mean values of the different parameters were maximum near the coast, at M1, and minimum at the most distant station (M7), but the decrease towards the open sea was not regular: the values found at M5 were higher than at M3 and markedly exceeded those at M7. This seems to be related to the presence of the oligotrophic Northern Mediterranean Current flowing parallel to the coast. In most cases M3 was in the core of the current whereas M5 seemed to be frequently influenced by its external boundary. Locally, this frontal situation enhanced the primary production and consequently favoured an increase in zooplankton biomass or production as suggested by the strong temporal correlation between chlorophyll and Zooplankton at this station. Comparison between stations demonstrated the specificity of M5 zooplankton which showed the lowest variability in its specific dry weight and biovolurne and the highest C/N ratios.     

北黄海獐子岛附近海域大型底栖动物数量分布和季节变化

根据2009年8月至2010年6月4个季度月(夏、秋、冬、春季),对位于北黄海獐子岛附近海域所设的13个站进行的大型底栖动物生态调查所获得的资料,对该海域大型底栖动物的种数、密度和生物量的组成及季节变化进行分析研究,采用Shannon-Wiener指数(H’)、物种丰富度指数(D)和物种均匀度指数(J)分析该该海域大型底栖动物的物种多样性;并研究了该海域的次级生产力和P/B值的空间分布和季节变化。结果表明,北黄海獐子岛附近海域大型底栖动物全年总种数、年平均栖息密度和年平均生物量分别为211种、699.415个/m2和98.927 g/m2。各季度的种数(S)、平均密度D (个/m2)和平均生物量B (g/m2)的季节变化分别为: S春季(121)＞S秋季(118)＞S冬季(89)＞S夏季(87),D春季(794.58)＞D秋季(766.92)＞D夏季(674.62)＞D冬季(561.54),B春季(180.271)＞B夏季(107.121)＞B秋季(70.824)＞B冬季(37.493)。全年物种多样性指数H’值、物种丰富度指数D值和物种均匀度指数J值分别为2.976、4.135和0.707,该海域大型底栖动物的夏季、秋季和春节平均密度季节变化不明显,但冬季明显较少。而平均生物量和种数的季节变化比较明显,春季较高,冬季较低。该海域的平均次级生产力为15.335g(AFDW)/(m2.a),相对较高。P/B值的平均值为1.239。     

Spatial intertidal distribution of bivalves and polychaetes in relation to environmental conditions in the Natori River estuary,Japan

This paper aims to reveal spatial variation in the abundance of infaunal bivalves and polychaetes at different spatial scales (station: 200–800 m intervals; plot: 5–20 m), and to reveal environmental variables affecting the spatial distribution of animals in the Natori River estuary, Japan. We found six bivalve species and eight polychaete species from 52 plots at 12 stations. Nuttallia olivacea and Heteromastus sp. were found to be the most abundant species of bivalves and polychaetes, respectively. Assemblage patterns of bivalves and polychaetes were classified into five distinct groups. Substrata (silt-clay contents), salinity, and relative elevation were the variables found to affect the infaunal assemblage patterns. Chlorophyll a was not a significant variable, but benthic animals were absent at sites with extremely low chlorophyll a conditions. Macrobenthic assemblage patterns were different not only between stations but often differed between plots at the same station, reflecting the complex assemblage structure of benthic invertebrates. Detailing such animal–environment relationship is essential in understanding the potential food supply for estuarine fishes.     

Abundance of deep-sea meiobenthos off Sanriku,Northeastern Japan

Abundance of deep-sea meiobenthos off Sanriku, Northeastern Japan was studied quantitatively using sediment samples collected by box corers or an Okean grab. Sampling stations were established along a line transect which covered areas from off the mouth of Otsuchi Bay to the abyssal plain of the western Pacific crossing over the Japan Trench (water depths from 120 m to 7460 m). Abundance of meiobenthos decreased linearly with water depth down to 1503 m and became constant at stations deeper than 4130 m. Nematodes predominated over the other taxonomic groups at all stations. An equation to estimate meiofaunal abundance from several sediment characteristics, which was previously proposed by the first author based on data from tropical and subtropical regions of the western Pacific, was applied to the present boreal area. At one station where the Okean grab was used, the estimated value was 4.7 times more than the observed one. Except for the station, however, observed values fell within the confident range of estimated values. The estimated values were always higher than the observed ones at boxcorer stations, whereasvice versa at Okean-grab stations. These results suggested that keen attention is necessary in selecting sampling gear for ecological studies of deep-sea meiobenthos.     

南海东北部陆坡区中上层浮游动物的垂直分布*

根据2016年3月和9月南海东北部陆坡区浮游动物垂直分层采样, 比较浮游动物种类组成、丰度和生物量的垂直分布和季节变化, 探讨影响其差异的原因。文中共鉴定浮游动物225种, 其中3月和9月分别出现150种和169种; 桡足类种数达132种, 其次是毛颚类和管水母类, 各18种; 浮游动物种数在50~100m水层最高, 一般随水深增加而减少。浮游动物丰度和生物量主要集中在0~100m, 二者在100m以深水层随深度增加而降低, 而水柱生物量在100~1000m占总水柱生物量的60%以上。浮游动物优势种季节和垂直变化明显, 3月近海种如普通波水蚤(Undinula vulgaris)和微刺哲水蚤(Canthocalanus pauper)等在100m以上水层丰度较高; 9月外海种如达氏筛哲水蚤(Cosmocalanus darwinii)和黄角光水蚤(Lucicutia flavicornis)等在100m以浅水层相对于3月丰度增加; 隆线似哲水蚤(Calanoides carinatus)在3月丰度和平均体长高于9月, 并且体长较大者主要分布在深层。浮游动物可分0~100m、100~400m和400~1000m三个群落, 因不同水层种类组成和丰度差异引起。浮游动物丰度和生物量的垂直变化与温度、叶绿素a质量浓度等因子呈显著正相关。南海东北部陆坡浮游动物季节和垂直变化受季风、沿岸流和中尺度涡的影响。     

Spatial and seasonal distribution of intertidal macrobenthos with their biomass and functional feeding guilds in the Naf River estuary,Bangladesh

The Naf River estuary is one of the most productive ecological ecosystems in Bangladesh providing an important feeding area for fishes and other aquatic animals.However,detailed information on macrobenthic communities is rarely available in this area.Our study focused on the seasonal and spatial variability of macrobenthic community structure with their biomass and functional guilds.In total,fortyseven taxa were identified under nine major groups and seven functional feeding guilds.Among macrobenthic taxa,Polychaeta was dominant in both seasons and all over the estuary contributing 60%of total benthos.The mean abundance of macrobenthos was higher during the pre-monsoon(2 972±1 994 inds./m^2)than the monsoon(1 572±361 inds./m^2)being maximum at mid-estuary region and minimum at upper and lower estuary regions.Of the diversity indices,density(P=0.01,P=0.003),the number of taxa(P=0.000 3,P=0.000 9)and Margalef′s Index(P=0.000 4,P=0.001)of macrobenthos were significantly different among stations and seasons.Shannon-Weiner index(P=0.009,P=0.12)and Pielou’s evenness index(P=0.03,P=0.14)had significant differences among stations but not among seasons.Cluster analysis suggested that distribution of macrofauna is strongly influenced by seasonality.Among the feeding types,carnivorous were found to be dominant at the upper and mid-estuarine regions,and herbivorous were at lower estuarine regions.Carnivorous species were dominant in both seasons.Omnivores have shown to be the most abundant feeding type in terms of biomass though herbivores were highest during monsoon.     

Seasonal variations in faunal distribution and activity across the continental slope of the goban spur area (NE Atlantic)

Density, biomass and community structure of macrofauna were estimated together with several sediment characteristics at seven stations ranging from 208 m to 4460 m water depth along the OMEX transect in the Goban Spur area (NE Atlantic) during three seasons (October 1993, May 1994, and August 1995). Median grain size decreased with increasing water depth and showed no differences between the seasons. The percentages of organic carbon and total nitrogen were highest at mid-slope depths (1000 to 1500 m), and were significantly higher in August at the upper part of the slope to a depth of 1500 m. The C:N ratio in the surface layer amounted to 7 to 8 in May, 10 to 12 in August and 14 to 17 in October at all stations (except the deepest at 4460 m, where it was 11 in May and August), indicating arrival of fresh phytodetritus in May, and therefore seasonality in food input to the benthos. Densities of macrofauna decreased exponentially with increasing water depth. Significantly higher densities of macrofauna were found in May at the upper part of the slope to a depth of 1500 m. These differences were mainly due to high numbers of postlarvae of echinoids at the shallowest station and ophiuroids at the deeper stations. Biomass values also decreased with increasing water depth, but biomass was relatively high at the 1000 m station and low at 1500 m, due to relatively high and low mean weights of the individual macrofaunal specimens. No significant differences in biomass were found between the seasons. Respiration was high (15 to 20 mgC·m⁻²·d⁻¹) in May at the upper part of the slope to a depth of 1000 m and low (1–3 mg C·m⁻²·d⁻¹) at the deeper part. At the shallowest stations to a depth of 1000 m respiration was highest in May, at the mid-slope stations (1400–2200 m) it was highest in August, whereas the deepest stations (3600 to 4500 m) did not show any differences in respiration rates. In conclusion; seasonal variation in organic input is reflected in denstiy, community structure and activity of the macrofauna along the continental slope in the NE Atlantic.     

2009年春季舟山海域大型底栖生物群落结构的生态特征

2009年4月对舟山海域13个站位的大型底栖生物群落结构的生态特征进行了调查,并结合2001—2008年浙江近岸海域生态环境监测数据资料,分析了该海域大型底栖生物的变化趋势及其生存环境现状。结果表明,调查海域共鉴定出大型底栖生物84种,其中多毛类31种,甲壳类25种,软体动物12种,鱼类8种,腔肠动物4种,棘皮动物和其它类各2种。2009年春季该海域大型底栖生物的生物量平均值为11.62g/m2,丰度平均值为208.5个/m2,生物多样性指数(H′)为1.64,丰度呈由近岸向外海递增的趋势。根据Bray-Curtis相似性系数聚类分析和多维尺度排序分析,该海域大型底栖生物可划分为3个群落,分别为群落Ⅰ:双鳃内卷齿蚕-织纹螺-孔鰕虎鱼群;群落Ⅱ:色斑角吻沙蚕-脊尾白虾群落;群落Ⅲ:葛氏长臂虾-织纹螺群。通过丰度/生物量累积k-优势度曲线分析可知,该海域大型底栖生物群落已受到中度程度的污染或扰动,群落结构不稳定。比较分析2001—2009年舟山海域大型底栖生物生物量和丰度变化趋势可知,个体较小、生长周期较短的种类逐步成为舟山海域的优势类群。     

Benthic macrofauna changes in areas of Venice lagoon populated by seagrasses or seaweeds.

Two areas of the Venice lagoon populated by seagrasses (three stations covered by Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Asherson, Zostera marina Linnaeus, Zostera noltii Hornemann) or seaweeds (two stations: one covered by Ulva rigida C. Agardh and another at present without seaweed biomass) were monitored by means of six surveys over a year in order to study macrofaunal composition and seasonal changes. The seagrass stations showed a mean species richness (28-30 S m(-2)), individual abundance (1854-4018 N m(-2)) and biomass (22.3-37.7 g m(-2) ash-free-dry-weight, AFDW) ca. 3-8 times higher than those populated by seaweeds (10-15 S m(-2), 494-1395 N m(-2) and 5.6-13.7 g m(-2) AFDW). Differences among seagrass or seaweed stations were much lower. The Ulva-dominated station showed a macrofauna completely different both from the other stations and the communities recorded ca. 30 years ago, before the prolific growth of Ulva. In this station, frequent biomass decompositions and anoxic crises created critical conditions for life favouring organisms with reduced life cycles, younger individuals and the epifaunal species instead of the infaunal ones. In particular, Ulva grazers and scrapers such as Gammarus aequicauda Stock and Gibbula adriatica Philippi were found to be by far the most abundant species, whereas the taxa characteristic of the associations found in the past, in the presence of seagrasses or seaweeds and typical of low eutrophicated environments, appear strongly reduced. Marked differences in the macrophyte dominance and in the bio-physico-chemical variables which characterise the main environmental conditions of the Venice lagoon support the different distribution and composition of macrofaunal communities. Seaweed stations appear mainly governed by the seasonal cycles of these un-rooted macrophytes which, by alternating periods of production and decomposition, are responsible for the drastic reduction of macrofauna biodiversity and biomass. Conversely, seagrass stations exhibit a better oxidisation of the environment and show conditions more favourable for macrofauna colonisation, especially in the presence of macrophytes which are characterised by very well developed below-ground systems such as Cymodocea nodosa.