Factors Affecting Macrobenthic Fauna in a Tropical Hypersaline Coastal Lagoon in Ghana,West Africa |
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| Authors: | Emmanuel Lamptey Ayaa Kojo Armah |
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| Institution: | 1.Department of Oceanography and Fisheries,University of Ghana,Legon,Ghana |
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| Abstract: | The macrobenthic fauna in the large, hypersaline, shallow Keta lagoon in Ghana was sampled at 20 stations in the wet (September
2002) and dry seasons (March 2003) to elucidate the effects of abiotic factors on community patterns. The macrobenthic fauna
was low in density and species diversity and numerically dominated by bivalves and capitellid polychaetes. These organisms
appear able to withstand physical disturbance (when lagoon water levels become extremely low) and osmotic stress (when salinities
are extremely high) and tend to redistribute along environmental gradients. Parallel seasonal differences in several environmental
variables and the macrobenthic fauna indicate a highly dynamic system. Species richness and diversity were higher in the wet
season than the dry season. Salinity, percent clay, pH, and turbidity in that order were the major significant variables structuring
the macrobenthic faunal assemblage in Keta lagoon. The strong effect of seasonal salinity changes on macrobenthic faunal assemblages
may have trophic consequences for higher organisms of commercial importance, such as fishes and shorebirds, in the Keta lagoon. |
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