Disruption of the structure of benthic communities in an estuarine ecosystems (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea)

We studied the species diversity, structure and disturbances to the structure of benthic communities in several estuarine ecosystems (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea). We found that the species diversity, total density and total biomass of the macrobenthos increase from the internal brakish areas of estuarine ecosystems to the marine ecosystems, and from the upper littoral ecosystems to the lower and sublittoral ecosystems. ABC-indexes increase in estuarine ecosystems along the longitudinal axis with increasing salinity from internal brakish areas of estuaries with disturbed community structure to marine areas relatively undisturbed communities.