Abstract
The invertebrate benthic community of two Aveiro salt pond systems was studied in order to evaluate its diversity, density and the influence of organic matter and salt production. Samples were collected monthly at Esmolas and Tanoeiras. Five groups of benthic organisms were found: Nemathelminthes, Annelida (Nereis diversicolor), Crustacea (Sphaeroma serratum andTanais cavolini), Insecta (Chironomidae), Bivalvia Mollusca (Cerastoderma edule, Spisula solida andMya arenaria) and Gasteropoda Mollusca (Hydrobia ulvae, Cingulla cingullus, Cingulla semistriata, Odostomia rissoides, Odostomia unidentata, Scrobicularia alba, Valvata cristata andPaludestrina acuta). The highest density of the benthic community was observed during the non-productive season in all but the crystallizing pond systems. In both salt ponds, salinity acted as limiting factor. The dominant group was Gasteropoda, although high densities of Bivalvia were recorded in some ponds. In the feeder pond and the channels, species diversity was highest in the Tanoeiras salt pond, probably because its physical and chemical characteristics allowed the development of stable communities.
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Vieira, N., Amat, F. The invertebrate benthic community of two solar salt ponds in Aveiro, Portugal. International Journal of Salt Lake Research 5, 281–286 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01995382
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01995382