THE BENTHIC MACROFAUNA OF MORICHES BAY, NEW YORK

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Abstract
Quantitative sampling of the subtidal macro-benthos of a shallow temperate lagoon shows several structural features of benthic communities in five biotopes. Attempts are made to relate past and present qualities of benthic structure to long-term nutrient and organic loading of this lagoon. While overall benthic species composition has apparently not changed drastically since a 1938 qualitative survey, some important changes in dominant species composition appear to be associated with the biology of these principal species. The best estimate of average annual standing crop of the macro-benthos (< 5 g/m2, ash-free dry weight) is lower than estimates in somewhat comparable estuaries, apparently because of low oxygen concentrations over extensive areas during summers, which derive in turn from large summer influxes of nutrients and organic matter into this poorly flushed lagoon. Clear-cut associations between sediment type and mode of feeding of the benthos are demonstrated; suspension feeding invertebrates dominating in sandy sediments, and deposit feeders dominating in soft clayey silt bottoms. Species diversity appears to be homogeneous over most of the bay, with very low diversity in dredged channels. The need for more, and more carefully allocated, sampling effort in benthic studies is emphasized, given the imprecision in community structural features, particularly species diversity and biomass of genera and species.

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