Preliminary Study on Macrobenthic Community of the Creek in the Tidal Flat of the Changjiang Estuary

Based on the data collected from samplings on the benthic macro-invertebrate community in various habitats of creek system in eastern beach of Chongming Island in the Changjiang estuary,the structure of benthic macro-invertebrate community,diversity,and relation between habitat heterogeneity of creek system and zoobenthic community were analyzed.Major conclusions from this research are:1)Because there are difference in water dynamics and characteristics of sediment,zonation of macrobenthic community exists in creek sections in eastern beach of Chongming Island in the Changjiang estuary.From bottom of creek,bank of creek to grass flat,variations in composition of species,types of life form and life group reflect ecological series of macrobenthos in creek system of estuarine tidal flat.2)Density and biomass for macrobenthic communities of different habitats are in order of bank of creek＞grass flat＞bottom of creek.For value of GS/GSB in density and biomass of macrobenthos,there is variety in different habitats.These results suggest that dominant life form and life group for density and biomass would change with various habitats of creek system.3)As a result of differentiation in habitat structure of creek system,D,H′and J for macrobenthic communities of different habitats are in order of grass flat＞bank of creek＞bottom of creek.Specific habitats such as the bottom and bank of creek increased habitat heterogeneity of estuarine tidal flat,and played an important role in maintaining species diversity in estuarine ecosystem.