Production of Invertebrates in the Tidewater Zone of a Coastal River and Adjacent Estuary: Distribution and Implications for Environmental Impact Assessment

摘要

The tidewater area of the Satilla River, and the adjacent St. Andrews Sound estuary were sampled to determine the distribution and production of estuarine invertebrates. Sampling in the Satilla tidewater area was carried out from December 1975 through November 1976, and included sand and mud benthos samples and plankton tows. Sampling in St. Andrews Sound extended from September 1976 through August 1977, and was restricted to benthos. Invertebrate distributions were analyzed and showed a predicted pattern of abundance, with euryhaline marine forms near the mouth of the estuary, estuarine forms dominating the brackish area and a few freshwater forms penetrating oligohaline upper reaches. Species diversity, density and biomass all appeared to be severely reduced in the tidewater area as compared to the sound and the non-tidal part of the river.