Abstract
Present communication reports the community structure and distribution pattern of intertidal invertebrate macrofauna at four shores of the Kathiawar peninsular coastline off the Arabian Sea (India). The selected shores have different levels of human activities. Present report tests three hypotheses; that is, (i) distribution of invertebrate macrofauna in these shores is influenced by space and time, (ii) abiotic factors have a profound influence on the distribution pattern of intertidal macrofaunal assemblages, and (iii) human activities influence the community structure of the intertidal invertebrate macrofauna at these shores. To test these hypotheses, spatiotemporal variations in different ecological indices were studied. A total of 60 species from six phyla were considered for the study. High species diversity was recorded during winter and monsoon seasons in almost all the shores studied. It was also evident that a few environmental factors had a cumulative influence on the distribution pattern of intertidal macrofauna. Significant spatial variations in the species diversity and evenness were also observed. Though the shores studied have similar coast characteristics and climatic conditions, they face different levels of human activities. Therefore, the observed variations in the intertidal faunal assemblage were possibly caused by anthropogenic stress.
Highlights
Rocky shores are the most extensive littoral habitats exposed to eroding waves and, are ecologically very important [1]
Results of the present study indicated that there were no significant spatial variations in the species diversity of major macrofaunal phyla
This is possibly due to the fact that the shores studied are situated along the same continuous coastline and share common coast characteristics
Summary
Rocky shores are the most extensive littoral habitats exposed to eroding waves and, are ecologically very important [1]. Anthropogenic stress is the response of biological entity, of any individual, population, or community, to an anthropogenic disturbance. This stress at one level of organization may have an impact on another level. Intertidal invertebrates and macroalgae occupy low trophic levels and are responding quicker to alterations in climate than species at higher trophic levels [10]. They often show the first response in a cascade of effects up the food chain and are important sentinels of climate change impacts [11]. Several other climate-related drivers are impacting and have adverse effects upon coastal habitats including sea level rise, increases in relative wave height and storminess, and the associated secondary effects arising from adaptation and mitigation activities in coastal regions [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
