Relationship between infaunal invertebrates and abiotic factors in intertidal mudflats on the Northwest Fundy shore, Bay of Fundy
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Date
2025-04
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Intertidal mudflats are unique ecosystems supporting diverse biotic communities, including infaunal organisms that live buried in sediments. Infaunal invertebrates have adapted to burrow, move, respire, and process sediment particles for food. This study explores how sediment organic content, carbonate content, grain size, pH and alkalinity influence abundance of four infaunal species (Tubificoides benedii, Corophium volutator, Macoma balthica and Hediste diversicolor) along the Northwest Bay of Fundy shore, based on Fall 2023 sampling at 10 sites. Results indicate that site had a significant effect on species abundance. The environmental variables that had the most influence on Tubificoides benedii, Corophium volutator, Macoma balthica, and Hediste diversicolor in generalized linear mixed models were sediment organic content, alkalinity and carbonate content. Hediste diversicolor appeared to also be influenced by sediment pH. Further investigation into the effects of sediment pH and alkalinity is needed to enhance understanding of ecology of mudflat invertebrates and provide a foundation for future species or environment specific studies.