DIVERSITY OF BENTHIC MACROMOLLUSCAN COMMUNITIES ON THE ROCKY SHORES OF TRIPORTI, VLORE, ALBANIA
Kerol SAÇAJ, Ina NASTO, Denada SOTA
Abstract
Over recent decades, numerous experiments have consistently demonstrated that species richness significantly influences ecosystem multifunctionality. These variations within ecosystems arise from natural progressions, as well as from human and natural events. Our study focuses on analyzing both the composition and quantitative characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate populations along the rocky shores of Triport in Vlora, aiming to assess their ecological conditions.
Our case study involves three observation sites on the rocky shores of Triport in Vlora, where we examine macroinvertebrates. A key objective of our research was to investigate seasonal variations in population traits across different zones, conducting fieldwork during the spring and summer of 2018 (June and August). We calculated both the total and average densities for each species at each site and during each sampling period. Another critical goal was to evaluate species composition and population quantity traits, comparing these across different seasons and sites, as well as within each site. We also performed statistical analyses to explore changes in species composition and population density and their interrelationships across different seasons and sites.
The study identified 67 taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates, predominantly gastropods. Our research highlighted the presence of an intriguing and relatively underexplored group, the Macrozoobenthos, within the study areas. This group's significance is tightly linked to the structure and function of the coastal ecosystem, indicated by the dominance of invertebrate species within the benthic community. Many species within this group serve as indicators of the marine ecosystem's health.
In conclusion, the sparse density and unstable nature of the macrozoobenthic community are strong indicators of the poor ecological conditions and environmental stresses affecting the study areas. Factors significantly influencing the characteristics of the macrozoobenthic population include algal cover, the diversity of microhabitats along the shores, and the degree of exposure to wave action.
Pages:
126 - 131