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The distribution of sublittoral macrofauna communities in the Bristol Channel in relation to the substrate
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The distribution of sublittoral macrofauna communities in the Bristol Channel in relation to the substrate

R.M. Warwick and J.R. Davies
Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science, Vol.5(2), pp.267-288
1977
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0302-3524(77)90022-6
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Abstract

Grab and dredge samples have been collected on a grid of 155 sublittoral stations in the Bristol Channel. The faunal data have been analysed using a hierarchical sorting technique to cluster stations with similar species compositions. At a similarity level of 18%, groups of stations with a species composition similar to the classical Petersen communities were defined. Three of Petersen's communities were recognized in the outer part of the Channel, the Venus, Abra and Modiolus communities. The fauna of the inner part of the Channel is reduced and does not correspond with any previously recognized community type. Possible causes for this faunal reduction are discussed. The substrate distribution and the macrofaunal community distribution are mapped. Side-scan sonograms are shown to be a useful adjunct to the interpretation of faunal distributions.

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