Macrobenthic Communities of the Lower Chesapeake Bay.
Abstract
In this study the distribution, abundance, and species composition of subtidal macrobenthic invertebrates of the lower Chesapeake Bay, the macrobenthic infauna was sampled four times per year (seasonally) at 12 sites in 1982 and 1983. From a cluster analysis of the infaunal collection sites, five major site groups were defined. The 12 infaunal collection sites were organized by the cluster analysis into groups that were generally spatially contiguous. This clustering reflected gradients of decreasing average grain size, water depth and salinity that ocurred moving up the estuary. Total community density and indices of species diversity were within the ranges previously reported for comparable sediment types and salinity ranges. The above parameters were lowest at one site near the mouth of the bay and at the site group defined by two sites within the Elizabeth River. Qualitative samples for commercially important benthic invertebrates (blue crabs, hard shell clams an oysters) confirmed distributional patterns well known to local fishermen. Multivaritate models were developed for each site group. The sensitivity of each type of model was tested using simulated impacted data sets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA165393
Entities
People
- Daniel M. Dauer
Organizations
- Old Dominion University